The Federation of Gujarat Textile Traders Association (FOGWA) recently wrote a letter to textiles minister Smriti Irani and commerce minister Piyush Goyal demanding representation of the views of power loom associations and FOGWA from Surat and other clusters in the proposed inclusion of textile sector in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Power loom weavers in Surat have blamed the commerce and textile ministries for ignoring their representation, according to a report in a top English-language daily.The Federation of Gujarat Textile Traders Association (FOGWA) recently wrote a letter to textiles minister Smriti Irani and commerce minister Piyush Goyal demanding representation of the views of power loom associations and FOGWA from Surat and other clusters in the proposed inclusion of textile sector in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.#
The central government has proposed the inclusion of the textile industry in RCEP, allowing the free import of polyester fabrics from China and Southeast Asian countries.
FOGWA and the Federation of Indian Art Silk Weaving Industry (FIASWI) had approached the commerce ministry last month demanding imposition of import duty on Chinese fabric to protect small and medium enterprises in Surat.
FOGWA said the import of heavily under-invoiced fabric from China has crossed the ₹5,500 crore in the last one year. Imported fabrics are heavily under-invoiced and could be worth ₹10,000 crore.
FOGWA president Ashok Jirawala demanded industry stakeholders from Maharashtra and Gujarat should be heard first as they provide employment to lakhs of workers and inclusion under RCEP will directly affect weavers in the two states.
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