 "Annual conference of state textiles ministers in New Delhi")
In order to give a boost to garment industry in the country and corner a larger pie of global textile market, India will have to focus on enhancing production capabilities of textile machinery. “There is a need for capacity enhancement in production of textile machinery in the country under Make in India initiative,” stated Smriti Irani, Textiles Minister, at the annual conference of state textiles ministers in New Delhi yesterday.
Calling for a well-coordinated cohesive governance approach to ensure more effective programme implementation and sectoral outcomes, Irani said that the new textile policy will reflect the views and contribution of all states, so that India becomes the textile destination of the world.
Irani added, “A huge apparel package has been given by the Government of India. There is need for support of state governments in expanding manufacturing capacity and employment generation capacity. Only this would address the challenges of industry such as cost of power and labour.”
Speaking of the importance of branding in textile sector, Irani mentioned that India’s positioning in international market depends upon branding of Indian textile products. She recalled how branding of handloom products by involving top designers and retail giants in the country, has led to a paradigm shift in the handloom sector.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the textile sector, especially in the export market, due to uneven tariff and non-tariff barriers, Rashmi Verma, Textiles Secretary, expressed the hope that GST will bring down input costs, give a boost to textile exports and bring in greater capital investment in the sector.
