Textile machinery industry upbeat post-Texfair

The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA), Coimbatore organised Texfair 2019 – largest expo of textile machinery, spares, accessories and other supporting services and Farm to Finish Expo 2019 – expo showcased right from raw material to finished products during August 9-12, 2019 at CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, Coimbatore.

At the inaugural function held on August 9, 2019, SIMA Chairman P Nataraj welcomed the Chief Guest, Dr KV Srinivasan, Chairman, The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (Texprocil), Mumbai, Ajay D Shah, President of Textile Machinery and Mill Stores Merchants Association (TMMSMA), Coimbatore, Jugal Kishore Pansari, President of Indian Textile Accessories and Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (ITAMMA), Mumbai and the exhibitors to the inaugural function. During his welcome address, SIMA Chairman briefed about Texfair 2019 and Farm to Finish Expo 2019. Shah and Pansari offered felicitations. Vice-Chairman Ashwin Chandran delivered vote of thanks.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Dr KV Srinivasan stated that the Central and State governments should support the textile industry, which is passing through a crisis, with measures to improve the sector’s competitiveness. He said that the factors such as poor demand in the export and domestic markets, lack of skilled labour and high raw material cost were affecting the textile units. He further said that exports of yarn, fabric and made ups grew over 50 per cent from 2008 to 2018, however, in 2019, the yarn exports saw a steep decline especially in June this year was the lowest in the last five years. He said that China also gave duty-free access to Pakistan from this April apart from Bangladesh and Vietnam, who were already enjoying this benefit. He said that in a falling market, the tariff difference of 4 per cent is significant and sustain competitiveness of the textile industry. As it generates employment in large numbers, the Union Government should refund taxes and duties
paid for export of all textile products. He requested
the government to re-introduce the interest subvention scheme.

At Texfair expo machinery, spares manufacturers/suppliers and other supporting service providers from China, Japan, Switzerland, Italy and USA apart from domestic players across the country catering to the
various segments of the textile industry showcased their products and services.

At the Farm to Finish Expo, various varieties of cotton, man-made fibres, regenerated fibres, various types of yarn, cloth samples, fabrics, made-ups, garments, and special clothing like sportswear, baggage, etc. were exhibited by the textile mills across the country. Texfair 2019 is 12th edition in its series and the Farm to Finish Expo 2019 is the fourth edition.

The expos provided an opportunity for various clusters of the industry to know the latest improvements in technology and availability of domestic as well as import substitution spares. 250 exhibitors showcased their products and services in 320 stalls. Out of 250 exhibitors, 120 exhibitors have participated in more than five Texfair expos. The expo attracted about one lakh visitors and created business worth around Rs 1,000 crore. Business visitors from countries like China, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka visited the expo and derived the benefit, besides the visitors from all over the country.

Everyone is optimistic that with the Union Government’s initiatives of “Make in India”, “Skill India” and other initiatives (DBT, GST, etc.) and recovery of the global economy, Indian textile industry would increase its share in global textile and clothing business.