Leading textile exporters not keen on AIM

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) calls it the one-stop shop that gives world class facility to the apparel exporters to showcase their product.

But many leading textile exporters in the country has given a cold shoulder to the 'Apparel International Mart' (AIM) to be set up in Gurgaon.

Welspun India Ltd, leaders in the home textile segment, is setting up global distribution alliances and has no intention of setting up a showroom at the AIM. The company is actively in talks with leading marketing companies in the US.

"We have got our own distribution network in place and have our office in New York. The concept of AIM is good one, but will take time to mature in India," Swapan Nath, director, Welspun India told Business Standard.

However, a senior official in the textile ministry claimed that the complex has received 'encouraging responses' from the industry.

"The AIM complex is coming up in an area of five acres, with a capacity to house around 300 showrooms. The construction work is in progress and is expected to start functioning by September," the official added.

Like Welspun India, Aarvee Denims and Exports too is not keen on AIM. Vinod Arora, chairman and managing director of Aarvee Denims, said, "We do not plan to set any shop at AIM in Gurgaon. We are already supplying to the leading brands in the US and France. We cater to the exports markets through our own network and marketing tie ups.

Similarly, Arvind Mills Ltd has also no plans to set up shop at AIM. The company, which supplies denim to leading brands such as GAP, Levi's, VF Corp, Liz Clairbone, and shirts to GAP, Levi's, Espirit, Osh Kosh Bgosh and knits to Nike, Reebok, is planning to come up with its own brands to be launched in international market.

Even the Ashima Group, which supplies to leading brands such as Levi's, Marks & Spencer, Perry Ellis, Polo Ralph Lauren, GAP, PVH, Banana Republic, and Docker's through its own distribution network, is not interested in setting up its shop in the proposed international apparel mart.