AEPC submits proposal for 2 apparel R&D centres

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has submitted a proposal to the Union government for setting up two Apparel Research and Development Centres (ARDCs) in the country. The proposal was submitted a month ago.

Speaking to Business Standard, A Sakthivel, chairman, AEPC, said, "The research centres, each costing Rs 3 crore, would come up in New Delhi and Tirupur. Research and development activities will be carried out in woven garments and knitwear at these centres respectively."

The total project cost for setting up the ARDCs will be borne by the Ministry of Textiles, and the centres would function under the aegis of AEPC, he added.

"Though India is a major exporter of apparels like readymade garments and knitwear, there is no centre dedicated to carry out the research and development activities in the apparels. Even small countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh have exclusive centres for research in apparels. Therefore, the council felt it was essential to set up a centre for carrying out research and development activities in apparels," Sakthivel said.

Sakthivel said that there are centres for yarn and fabric development but nothing of that sort exists for apparel. The council, in a bid to provide service to the textile industry, has come up with the idea of setting up the research centres, he added.