Textile sector is worthy of investment for growth
India is growing in status as a global leader in textiles which is evident from the number of countries participating in the second edition of Bharat Tex event, says Dr Seshadri Ramkumar.
Textile sector has a role to play in the development story of India.
On February 16, arriving in India just a few days back from hectic diplomatic trips to France and the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a major global textile exposition and delivered keynote address promoting global trade in textiles and apparels.
In a lighter mood, addressing the huge audience, Prime Minister quipped “clap when the growth of the Indian textile sector is 17 per cent instead of 7 per cent, as was the case last year” hinting the growth opportunities in the textiles sector.
The need for long term planning, focusing on sustainability and encouraging start-up culture in the textiles sector are thoughts provided by Honourable Modi to boost the employment growth in the sector.
Extolling the organization of a major global platform which attracted participants from over 120 countries, the Prime Minister encouraged interaction among the participants to know diverse cultures while engaging in business.
India is growing in status as a global leader in textiles which is evident from the number of countries participating in the second edition of Bharat Tex event, which was 110 countries last year as against 126 countries this year stated Giriraj Singh, India’s Minister of Textiles.
Currently India is sixth largest exporter of textiles and apparels valued at $36 billion and has set a target of $104 billion by 2030.
Pointing out the growth schemes promoted in the latest budget, Prime Minister emphasised the need for a reliable cotton supply and the contribution of technical textiles sector towards the growth of India’s textiles sector. The Honourable Prime Minister reminisced the discussions he used to have with textile leaders to boost the technical textiles in the State of Gujarat while he was its Chief Minister. I have personally witnessed his enthusiasm to promote technical textiles by organising forums in Vibrant Gujarat business events. I have participated in few Vibrant Gujarat events promoting industry tie-ups and toured India doing knowledge transfer in the field of nonwovens in events organised by Cary-based Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry-INDA.
India is investing heavily to have domestic production capacity for high quality carbon fibre stated Honorable Narendra Modi.
It is heartening to see the Prime Minister dedicated time emphasising the opportunities in recycling and upcycling waste. He prodded entrepreneurs to focus on start-ups in sustainability, use AI tools to predict fashion trends and engage in innovation.
While closing, he remarked that textile industry will play a key role in India’s journey to be a developed country by 2047.
Not only countries like India are dedicating efforts towards advanced manufacturing, developed economies are focusing attention on advanced textiles that cater to health, environment, and advanced application sectors such as defence. While the tariff regimes proposed by United States’ President Trump may not immediately bring back manufacturing in commodity textiles, opportunities will rise in advanced textiles sector which involve heavy investment in research and skilled workforce.
Textiles sector should be optimistic to see the support it is receiving from highest levels of governments such as the Prime Minister of India who spent about 30 minutes relaying his thoughts for the growth of the sector to a large audience from many countries who were assembled in Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
About the author:
Dr Seshadri Ramkumar is a Professor, Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory in Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
