India and Japan have joined forces to counter China's continued domination of global silk industry.
To further this cause, Central Silk Board (CSB), operating under Union ministry of textiles, has formulated plans to develop the industry in tropical countries in Asia-Pacific region, Africa and Europe.
Central Silk Board forwarded a project to implement this plan to Textile Ministry on April 17 this year, informed Ministry sources.
Government of India has accepted and sent the proposal to Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), which provides official development assistance to developing countries, for final concurrence.
CSB is of the opinion, that the project would help ensure uniform silk price across world and enhance sericulture industry in developing countries.
China is the topmost producer of raw silk with 1,02,000 tons a year, of which 80 percent consists of superior quality bivoltine silk.
India stands second with production of 16,500 tons, but imports almost 10,000 tons bivoltine silk from China to satisfy 26,000 ton a year demand. India is the largest global silk importer.
Japan produces 300 tons a year and with imports of nearly 7,000 tons silk from China becomes second largest importer of silk after India.
The project slated to commence from 2007, if becomes successful, will help developing countries could corner 25 percent of China's global silk market by 2012.
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