India Will Touch Export Target of US$ 300 Billion

Shri Anand Sharma the Union Minister of Commerce, Industry & Textiles inaugurated the Tex Trends India 2012, here today. Tex Trends India 2012, aims to provide the biggest platform in Asia to the exporters and the buyers, to bring together the best in Indian Garments and Accessories, Fabrics, Home Furnishings & Made-ups, Indian Handicrafts, Handlooms, Jute and Carpets – all under one roof. Speaking on the occasion Shri Sharma said, “Textiles Industry provides gainful employment to large number of people. The sector contributes 14% of industrial production, 4% of GDP and 10.63% of country’s export earnings. It provides direct employment to over 35 million people. The event (Tex Trends) will showcase India’s huge potential as an exporting country and will offer a great variety for its global buyers.”

Referring to recent initiatives for small weavers like loan weaver and special package amounting to about 6500 crore rupees, the Minister said that “while this is impressive, when time will come we will revisit and will do more.” The Minister expressed the concern that small weavers need to be empowered and if need be Government will do more within its own limit to support and train them.

On export performance the Minister said that given the difficult international climate India may just about touch its target of export of US $ 300 billion this year and US$ 750 billion of total trade barring the trade in services. The government has allocated more than 15000 crore in Technical Upgradtion Scheme the Minister informed that the scheme will continue in next five year plan. On Scheme for Integrated Textiles Parks (SITP) the Minister informed that in the 11th Five year plan 40 Integrated Textile Parks were sanctioned, with a financial allocation of Rs. 1400 Crores. He also referred to the 24 National Textiles Corporation Mills which have been revived recently.

Smt. Rita Menon, CMD ITPO, said, “Tex Trend 2012 is the culmination of vision to showcase the best of the Textiles Industry. It is indeed emotive to see the Tex Trend shape up into a grand success. It is heartening to know that Tex Trend 2010 generated export of 185 million US $ last year. She later informed that about 1000 buyers will be visiting the fair. Tex Trends 2012 puts a window of opportunities for the industry where products from handlooms to technical textiles are under one roof. It caters to product categories in casual wear, city wear, high fashion & occasional wear, speciality garments, sportswear, knitwear & made-ups bed linen, napkins, cushion covers, floor mats, curtains, etc”.

Tex Trends India 2012 will see a huge participation from about 600 exhibitors, 10 textile Export Promotion Councils and National Jute Board and global buyers from countries including USA, UK, Turkey, Japan, Spain and South Africa. The exhibition comprises activities like fashion shows, seminars, cultural program and award ceremony. It will also provide a perfect platform to enhance the global reach of India’s wide array of textiles and clothing including Indian Garments & Accessories, Fabrics, Home Furnishings & Made-Ups & Indian Handicrafts. Smt. Kiran Dhingra, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India was also present at the occasion.