Rs 100cr Apparel Intl Mart to be completed by year end

The construction of the Rs 100-crore Apparel International Mart (AIM) at Gurgaon, mooted by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) two years ago, will be completed by the end of this year.

Speaking to Business Standard, A Sakthivel, president of AEPC, said, "AIM is intended to serve as a one-stop shop for international buyers and importers enabling them to access a variety of Indian garments. Exporters can showcase their products like readymade garments and knitwear in this mart."

The mart would serve as a common meeting point for buyers and sellers besides making easy the job of buyers in identifying their sources, he added.

The venture, the first of its kind in India and in the neighbouring countries, would have around 250 centrally air-conditioned permanent showrooms in which garment exporters would be able to display their garment collections for the coming seasons under a single roof.

AIM would have two tower blocks with eight floors each to house around 250 showrooms. The showrooms would be categorised as A, B and C based on the built-up area and they would be located from second to sixth floors.

Besides permanent showrooms for 250 exporters, the Apparel International Mart will also have a 50,000-square feet exhibition area and other business facilities like auditoria, a resource centre, business centre, a travelling and ticketing services desk, health club and a cafeteria, Sakthivel said. The offices of AEPC and AIM shall also form a part of the trade mart, he added.

Commenting on the availability of showrooms to the exporters at AIM, Sakthivel said, "The showrooms will be available to exporters on a leave-and-license basis for a period of 10 years subject to eligibility criteria. Garment exporters registered with AEPC and with a turnover of Rs 20 lakh for the last three years are eligible to set up their own showrooms in this mart."

The mart is likely to emerge as a global destination for Indian fashion apparel, and Tirupur will be promoted as an international knitwear hub, Sakthivel said.