GEDA Workshop to Promote Energy Efficiency in Surat’s Textile Sector

The workshop aimed to connect Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the textile sector with technology providers and financing agencies.

In a collaborative effort to enhance energy efficiency in the textile industry, the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), South Gujarat Textile Processors Association (SGTPA), and WRI India organised a workshop titled ‘Energy Efficient Technology and Accessing Finance.’ This event was held on International MSME Day, June 27, in Surat.

Surat, known as India’s textile hub, stands to benefit greatly from this initiative. The workshop aimed to connect Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the textile sector with technology providers and financing agencies. By bringing together over 80 textile MSME associations, textile MSME owners, energy-efficient technology companies, and banks such as the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the workshop promoted sustainable development in the industry.

The primary goal of the workshop was to provide textile MSMEs with access to energy-efficient technologies, financial facilities, and the necessary knowledge for their effective use. Implementing these technologies is expected to yield significant cost savings, reduce energy consumption, improve productivity, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Senior officials from both the Central and State Governments were key speakers at the workshop. Saurabh Sinha, Deputy Director (Technical) of the Ministry of Textiles, Dr Jijnasha Ojha, Regional Officer of GPCB, and Amita Pandya, Senior Project Executive of GEDA, shared insights on the benefits of energy efficiency in the textile sector. Jitendra Vakharia, President of SGTPA, provided an industry perspective on the issue.

The program is part of WRI India’s Climate Resilient Employees for a Sustainable Tomorrow (CREST) initiative, supported by the Aris Charitable Foundation. Launched on August 28, 2023, the Rise-Surat initiative aims to equip at least 50 MSMEs and 500 workers in Surat’s textile sector with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to reduce India’s carbon footprint. This initiative focuses on climate mitigation, skill enhancement, and economic support, aiding MSMEs in transitioning towards low-carbon industries.

WRI India, in collaboration with GPCB and SGTPA, has already started skill training programs under the Rise-Surat initiative. These programs address the fundamental pillars of climate mitigation, skill enhancement, economic support, and energy efficiency.

The workshop emphasised the importance of energy efficiency for the sustainable growth of Surat’s textile industry. By adopting energy-efficient technologies, MSMEs can achieve substantial cost reductions, enhance productivity, and contribute to environmental conservation. This initiative supports the economic development of MSMEs and aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.

News source: The Blunt Times