The Union Minister of Textiles Dr Kavuru Sambasiva Rao presented the SRTEPC awards to leading companies for excellence in exports for the year 2012-13 at a function held in Mumbai. The Gold Trophy for Best Overall Export Performance was presented to Reliance Industries Ltd. The other companies who won awards on the occasion included Grasim Industries Ltd, Indo Rama Synthetics (I) Ltd, Alok Industries Ltd, D?décor Exports, to name a few.
The minister congratulated the award winners and observed that man-made fibre textiles offer tremendous scope for growth in production and exports. Impressed with the commendable growth in the textile industry, the minister informed that the Indian textile and clothing exports is expected to touch $43 billion during 2013-14. He added that the Textile Ministry has set an ambitious target of $60 billion for the fiscal year 2014-15. Dr Rao stated that reaching the target would not be difficult as the government is committed to support the exports with right policies. He opined that Indian exporters are innovative, competent and enterprising and these qualities have been proved beyond doubt and the target shall be achieved and exports are poised to scale new heights in the coming years. The Textile Minister stressed the need for skill development in India particularly in textile industry. He observed that industry leaders should not think narrowly in the interest of a particular sector; but collectively so that the textile industry flourishes in future.
Speaking on the occasion, Rakesh Mehra, Chairman of The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council observed that Indian producers of MMF textiles have over the years made tremendous innovations and can now boast of world class fabrics being preferred by the leading retailers in the developed western markets. He sought the support of the government to neutralise the taxes being paid by the exporters to make exports of Indian man-made fibre textiles more competitive. He also requested the Government to use the platform of negotiations for bilateral trade more intensively.
Mehra urged the members of the council to pool in the resources to take a sizable portion of the worlds man-made fibre textiles market by increasing Indias share in value-added products. He also informed that to encourage exports of man-made fibre textiles clothing, he had requested the Government to allow additional five per cent incentive for MMF garment exports. On the occasion the SRTEPC Chairman urged the members of the council to work together in a spirit of co-operation between various segments and introduce differentiated products to achieve the desired result. He informed that SRTEPC has set a target of $9 billion to be achieved in the financial year 2016-17 and expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of the Government, Council and Members, the target will be achieved.
On the occasion, Life Time Achievement award was conferred on NM Gupta, Ex-Group President, K K Birla Group (Textile Business) for his outstanding contribution to the Indian man-made fibre textiles industry and exports. Anil Rajvanshi, Vice Chairman of the Council proposed the vote of thanks.