Highlighting the contribution of the textile sector in the overall growth of the country, Shri Vaghela said India could become the second largest sourcing destination for textile goods after China in the post quota regime.
However, India's emergence as a major exporter would depend on its ability to achieve economies of scale, improved its value chain as also improvement in the overall infrastructure in the country, he added. Urging upon the handloom exporters he said that handlooms should be promoted as a heritage product abroad.
Recognizing the immense potential of the Textile Industry in general and Handloom Sector in particular, Shri Vaghela said that the Government has taken several initiatives to encourage investment and enhance global competitiveness.
He said a sum of Rs.40 crores has been allotted to develop 20 clusters in the first page last year and the cluster development approach will continue and it has been proposed to cover additional 100 clusters at a cost of Rs.50 crores in 2006-07.
Shri Vaghela said that with a view to double our percentage share of global trade within next five years and expand employment opportunities in semi urban and rural areas, Handlooms has been identified as a “Thrust Sector” in the new Foreign Trade Policy announced for the years 2004-09.
The Textiles Minister presented gold trophies to five exporters, silver trophies to seven exporters and fifteen gold medals to the exporters for the year 2003-04and 2004-05. The Minister of State for Textiles, Shri E.V.K.S. Elangovan and the Secretary Textiles, Shri D.P. Singh were also present on the occasion.
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