Textile exporters seek better infrastructure from Centre

The Dollar Business Bureau

In a bid to push the growth of the textile sector, the Tirupur Exporters' Association (TEA) has requested the Centre to provide successful textile clusters with better infrastructure like world-class design studio, research and development centre and incubation centre for technical textiles.

The intention has been conveyed in the pre-budget memorandum submitted by the association to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley underlining the need of good infrastructure as a way forward to entering niche segments. This will pave way for the industry to cash in on newer opportunities and allow growth of the already established textile business.

According to TEA president Raja M Shanmugham, the government also needs to address the issue of permanent migration of skilled labourers by building large-scale labour housing and hostels in public-private partnership mode.

Shanmugham also pointed out the need to establish an agency dedicated to working for the Knitwear sector which can act as a catalyst for growth in this segment. The focused agency can be similar to the existing Silk Board or Coir Board.  

These measures are necessary in the backdrop of Tiruppur being the knitwear capital of the country holding 46 per cent market share in knitwear exports. The city is also aiming to touch a turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore by 2020, from the present Rs 35,000 crore. The figures account for both domestic earnings as well revenues generated from exports.  

The association also noted the implementation of Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as a way to boost the growth of the garment sector. The bill, which has been passed in the parliament, will also cater to fulfilling the compliances of the buyers.