– Haresh Panchal, Director, Rabatex Group, Ahmedabad
The year 2013 has witnessed mixed fortunes for yarns and fabric. After initial brightness there has been sluggishness. Of course there appears to be little relief ahead in view of some movements.
I am also pleased to read about some golden predictions about ensuing Golden Era for textile industry as a whole. Let us all be optimistic for Golden period for our fraternity beginning from 2014. My experience says Textile Industry which is very crucial to our nations economics has seen many turbulence than any other industry because we are all aware that it is the very important industry that still stands as second highest employer after agriculture in India. Many souls depend on this industry here. Hence a better placed textile industry is capable to take the nation to greater heights.
The influence of our neighbouring country China has become crucial in textile sector like many other sectors, nowadays. The grip is tightening. My perspective is that India with a glorious past concerning textiles should not allow its tradition and hold to slip away as it appears to be happening today. Cost, quality and innovations are the keywords to enable us retain our hold on international textile business.
As a textile machinery manufacturer particularly in the area of weaving preparatory machinery we Rabatex Group have been greatly feeling the heat under our feet due to adverse circumstances caused by certain bad policies, in particular, dumping of used machinery from abroad. Globalisation in trade is admitted for overall interest of all sectors. But the small and medium textile machinery manufacturers particularly those with their limited resources develop technology indigenously are the sufferers. Their cause is neglected.
Rabatex group has been able to prove its capabilities as innovator in the field of technology. Definitely we appreciate the support and overwhelming response which we have been receiving from our clientele industry. But the policy lapses of the Government adversely affects our morale as well as motto.
The recent pronouncement of textile minister regarding a "Golden Period Ahead" is welcome and enthuse our spirits. But it is for the Government to see that fruits of benefits is to reach all segments of the sector. Otherwise it will remain as prediction without insight and we will not know that our countrys contribution to this sector is turning into futile.
I conclude my opinion with an appeal to the policy makers that "textile industry is Indias tradition and the most lucrative foreign exchange earner and we should not leave it to the mercy of vested interests."