| According to Shankarsinh Vaghela, new Union textile minister, "The scope of marketing Indian textiles is bright. Our present textile exports are worth Rs 25,000 crore and we will put all efforts to increase it to Rs 80,000 crore. The government will take all necessary measures to secure the leading position in the textile industry in the world," said Vaghela. |
| Speaking at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Sunday, he urged the chamber and all the trade associations of the state to put forth their suggestions for the speedy development of textile and other industries and said "the chamber with its vast experience should be more active in this matter and for the overall interest of Gujarat and India". |
| "My aim will be to focus on the all-round development of Gujarat and will fight against all anti-Gujarat forces. I will adopt a constructive approach and will not come in the way of people-oriented policies of the state government," said Vaghela. |
| Referring to the upheavals in the capital markets, Vaghela expressed his confidence in the steps to be taken by the Union finance minister P Chidambaram. |
| "The administrative acumen and pragmatic approach of the new textile minister will help the textile industry of Gujarat and India face new challenges from 2005 onwards, when the rules and regulations of the World Trade Organisation will come into effect and competition will increase," said Shreyas Pandya, president, GCCI. |
| While referring to the problems of the Gujarat textile industry, Pandya said, "Electricity rates are quite high in the state compared with several other states, which adversely affect the industry. There is a need to reintroduce the Rs 1 crore excise duty exemption to the ready-made garments industry, issue of Cenvat and necessary changes in the technology upgradation scheme and an increase in subsidies." |
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