Rajasthan garment exports poised to grow 200%

Garment exports from Rajasthan are expected to grow at a rate of 200 per cent and touch Rs 1,600 crore in 2007.

The Garment Exporters Association of Rajasthan (GEAR) President GP Mittal said the garment industry in Rajasthan had grown at a rapid pace in the past few years.

GEAR is an apex body of garment and textile exporters of Rajasthan.

"In 2001 the exports were to the order of Rs 400 crore, which doubled to Rs 900 crore in 2005 and it is expected that exports would shoot up by 200 percent in 2007 to Rs 1,600 crore," said Mittal, who was addressing a press conference here today.

Rajasthan's share is only 5 percent of the total exports of garments from the country.

The GEAR president said the Rajasthan government should support and assist garments units in Rajasthan in order to give a fillip to exports from here.

He said GEAR would now organise a two-day "International Garment And Textile Expo Jaipur 2006" from July 22-23 at the BM Birla Exhibition Centre here.

Leading exporters of Rajasthan would exhibit their products and also negotiate business deals for the next season. Over 9,000 buyers from all over the world have been invited. A grand fashion show had been planned to display forthcoming fashion, he added.

The exhibition, which was going to be held for the second time in Rajasthan, would showcase garments home furnishing and accessories.

Mittal said the association planned to organise this expo every year. According to him, the exhibition would generate additional sales of Rs 90-95 crores in this season.

Raja Ram Kandoi, general secretary, said in the last few years exporters had invested in the latest machinery so they could compete and produce the best quality garments in future and Jaipur could thus become a major sourcing hub for garment and home furnishings.

Vivek Khandelwal, executive member, GEAR, said new buying enquiries and business possibilities were there in the worldwide market and this kind of fair helped buyers exporters to come together at the same level to discuss and explore possibilities of joint ventures.