The Government of India is making efforts to expand the export market for textiles, Union Commerce and Industries Minister Suresh Prabhu said. Talks are on tracks with the European Union, Latin America, South Africa and other African countries. The Minister also said that efforts are on to make khadi as a popular fabric globally. The government is looking at the textiles sector as one which can create new jobs on a large scale.
Prabhu also suggested that since Gujarat and Saurashtra particularly are key regions contributing to the production of cotton, establishing entire value chain right up to garments in the vicinity, is the most logical move. Prabhu was speaking at three-day ‘Farm To Fashion’ expo that began in Ahmedabad organised jointly by Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Maskati Market Kapad Mahajan. He said that the government is trying to explore more markets globally for Indian businesses, especially textiles. “We are in talks with the EU. The largest beneficiary will be apparel and textile sector. We are also in talks with the countries of Latin America. I was recently in South Africa. We have plans to talk to the countries of East Africa, central Africa and North Africa,” he said.
He suggested it is the most advisable to set-up the entire value chain in areas that are hubs for growing cotton in the country. Gujarat being the largest producer of cotton and Saurashtra having a lion’s share in production is ideal destination to set-up manufacturing units for fibre to fabric. The Minister said that textile sector is more relevant now for a country like India, than it was in previous decades as it has a potential to create jobs in large numbers, particularly in non-metro cities and towns,” said Prabhu.
