Supported by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India
Panipat, India | March 21, 2025
The Home Textile Exporters’ Welfare Association (HEWA), with the esteemed support of the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, successfully organized the 2nd International Home Textile Summit (IHTS 2025) in Panipat—India’s renowned “City of Weavers.”
Introduction
Panipat, often referred to as the “City of Weavers,” played host to the prestigious global event was spearheaded by HEWA President Shri Anant Srivastava, whose visionary leadership brought together key players across the textile ecosystem—exporters, policymakers, MSMEs, and international buyers—to shape a new future for the Indian home textile industry. With the Ministry of MSME’s support and the collective efforts of the HEWA team, the summit served as a vibrant platform for policy dialogue, global collaboration, MSME empowerment, and export development.
The summit was virtually inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Guest, Shri Suresh Prabhu Ji, Former Union Minister of Commerce and Industry. He shared profound insights and extended appreciation to President Anant Srivastava, Vikas Singh Chauhan, and the entire HEWA team, applauding their tireless commitment to promoting India’s home textile sector and strengthening the MSME foundation.
Global Convergence at India’s Textile Heartland
Delegates from South Africa, South Korea, the UK, the UAE, and the Middle East participated in discussions focusing on sustainability, innovation, and global market expansion.
HEWA President Anant Srivastava, in his inaugural address, laid out a compelling roadmap:
“This summit is a stepping stone toward our mission of transforming India into a global powerhouse of home textiles. Through eco-friendly innovation, MSME support, and skill empowerment under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, we are building the future of Indian textiles.”
His leadership has been instrumental in aligning grassroots capabilities with international demands, reinforcing India’s progress toward Viksit Bharat 2047.
Keynote Speeches
Dr. Waiel Awwad
Dr. Waiel Awwad, Secretary General of the Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture, delivered a compelling keynote speech focusing on India-Arab trade relations. He traced these ties back to 2500 BC when Arab traders exchanged goods like silk, spices, and cotton with Indian artisans. Dr. Awwad emphasised that these historical connections have evolved into strong economic partnerships.
He presented key figures showing that trade between India and Arab countries exceeds $250 billion annually. Dr. Awwad highlighted the Gulf nations as major importers of Indian textiles but encouraged exporters to explore untapped markets in North Africa. He stated, “India has immense potential as an emerging economic power. By exploring new territories like North Africa, Indian exporters can unlock significant growth opportunities.”
Mr. Sanjay Malhotra
Mr. Sanjay Malhotra’s speech provided deep insights into India’s textile trade landscape. As a board member of Trident—a leading manufacturer of terry towels and bed linens—he acknowledged HEWA’s contributions in shaping textile policies like RoSCTL and RoDTEP incentives.
Malhotra shared projections for India’s textile exports: from $10 billion currently to $16 billion by 2030 for made-ups alone, with overall textile trade expected to grow from $170 billion to $350 billion during the same period. He emphasised the need for sustained incentives to achieve these targets:
“Reducing rates at this point would be detrimental to growth; we must focus on maintaining competitiveness in markets like the US and Europe while exploring new regions.“
Malhotra also highlighted how MSMEs contribute significantly to employment within textiles while urging stakeholders to address GST-related concerns through HEWA leadership
Summit Structure & Participation
Supported by the Ministry of MSME, the summit was organized into three focused segments:
- Global Insights Panel – Moderated by Anant Srivastava, Vikas Singh Chauhan, and Jigna Shah, featuring cross-border trade discussions.
- Sustainability, Branding, and Education Forum – Addressing the future of textiles through green innovations, digital branding, and industry-academia alignment.
- Keynote Reflections & Volunteer Appreciation – Featuring remarks from Shri Suresh Prabhu Ji and HEWA leaders, celebrating commitment to India’s textile mission.
Delegates from South Africa, South Korea, the UK, UAE, and other countries shared ideas on export potential, sustainability, and Indo-global trade cooperation.
Panel Discussions: Insights from Global Delegates
Moderated by Anant Srivastava, Vikas Singh Chauhan & Jigna Shah.
Ms. Shavira (South Africa)
Representing Abonzo in South Africa, Ms. Shavira expressed her interest in sourcing sustainable products like shopping bags, blankets, and home textiles from India. She noted that her market is saturated with Chinese imports but sees a post-COVID shift toward eco-friendly products. Praising India’s reputation for high-quality textiles, she stated:
“South Africa is moving towards sustainable products post-COVID. India’s eco-friendly textiles are perfectly aligned with this trend.”
She emphasised her excitement about collaborating with Indian manufacturers to meet growing demand in South Africa.
Koo Hyunmo (South Korea)
Koo Hyunmo, CEO of A-ART in South Korea, shared his experience sourcing eco-bags and blankets from India before COVID disrupted operations. He expressed enthusiasm about resuming business with Indian suppliers due to their product quality and affordability.
Hyunmo highlighted his interest in higher yarn-count towels—a niche opportunity for Indian manufacturers to cater to premium markets—and stated: “If suppliers can produce higher yarn-count towels like 30s or 40s counts instead of 16s or 20s counts currently available in India, I am ready to place orders immediately.”
Geoffrey Wallace Butler (UK)
Geoffrey Wallace Butler from Great Britain discussed Europe’s saturated textile market and identified Africa as an emerging territory for Indian goods. He emphasised the growing demand for sustainable home textiles due to affordability and quality.
He remarked, “Africa offers tremendous opportunities for Indian exporters to distribute bulk quantities of eco-friendly products.” Butler expressed optimism about sourcing sustainable products from India to cater to African markets.
Market Focus on Gulf African Countries
- Basil Baradeiya (Tunisia-India Chamber of Commerce): Basil Baradeiya shared insights into his journey promoting Indian products across Arab markets since 2005. As CEO of B International Trading Company, he highlighted successful collaborations with Indian exporters through exhibitions and business delegations. Baradeiya announced upcoming exhibitions in North African countries like Libya and Tunisia aimed at strengthening trade ties further.
- Anurag Sengar (UAE): Highlighted the 5% duty advantage under CEPA and urged Indian exporters to maintain consistent quality and reliability to fully leverage this opportunity
- Gargi Sinha (Creative Designer & Entrepreneur): Offered a fresh design-driven perspective, highlighting the role of aesthetics, artisanal integration, and sustainable creativity in enhancing India’s textile appeal globally.
Expert Panel Discussion: Sustainability & Branding
Among the highlights of the summit were the insightful dialogues between Jigna Shah (Textile Value Chain), Neelesh Kumar (ASMSOC, NMIMS University), Mr. Pawan Thulkral (Head of Men’s World India and Branding Expert), and Ms. Amandeep Kaur (Fashion Designer and Sustainability Expert). Their discussions revolved around sustainability, branding, innovation, and education in the textile industry.
- Ms. Jigna Shah, Managing Editor, Textile Value Chain
Ms. Jigna Shah elaborated on the supply chain challenges faced by Indian textile exporters, particularly inefficiencies in logistics and procurement that hinder competitiveness in global markets. She stressed the need for digital tools to streamline operations and improve transparency across supply chains.
“A robust supply chain is critical for meeting international standards and deadlines,” she explained. “Technology can play a transformative role in optimising processes while reducing costs.”
Shah also highlighted the importance of predictive analytics for demand forecasting, enabling exporters to respond effectively to market fluctuations.
- Mr. Pawan Thulkral (Head of Men’s World India and Branding Expert)
Mr. Pawan Thulkral provided valuable insights into branding strategies for Indian textiles on the international stage. He pointed out that while India is known for producing high-quality textiles, it lacks strong branding compared to competitors like China and Turkey. Thulkral emphasised storytelling as a powerful tool for branding:
“The global market needs to see Indian textiles not just as products but as stories of tradition, innovation, and sustainability. By highlighting India’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship, we can create an emotional connection with consumers.“
He recommended leveraging digital platforms and collaborating with international influencers to enhance visibility and build trust among global buyers.
- Ms. Amandeep Kaur (Fashion Designer and Sustainability Expert)
Ms. Amandeep Kaur emphasised that sustainability is no longer optional but a necessity for survival in the global market. She highlighted that consumer preferences are increasingly shifting towards eco-friendly products due to growing environmental awareness. Kaur stated:
“Sustainability must be embedded in every stage of production—from sourcing raw materials to packaging and distribution. Indian manufacturers have a unique opportunity to lead this transformation by adopting greener technologies and ethical practices.“
She also urged Indian exporters to focus on reducing their carbon footprint through innovations such as water-efficient dyeing processes and biodegradable packaging.
- Prof. Neelesh Kumar (ASMSOC, NMIMS University)
Prof. Neelesh Kumar brought an academic perspective to the discussion by stressing the importance of education in driving innovation within the textile industry. He advocated for stronger partnerships between universities and industries to foster research in sustainable materials, automation technologies, and market trends.
Empowering MSMEs through Global Collaboration
This year’s summit strongly aligned with the Ministry of MSME’s vision to uplift small and medium textile enterprises. The event spotlighted opportunities to integrate Indian MSMEs into global value chains through technology, sustainability, and strategic partnerships.
In his Inaugural Speech, President Anant Srivastava emphasized:
“With the Ministry of MSME’s support and our shared commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, this summit is not just a gathering—it’s a declaration of intent. We are building a resilient, globally competitive textile industry powered by skilled MSMEs and driven by innovation.”
Keynote Reflections from Hon’ble Chief Guest Shri Suresh Prabhu Ji
“Your promise to the industry is my promise.”
In his address, Shri Suresh Prabhu Ji lauded President Anant Srivastava and Vikas Singh Chauhan as pillars of the summit, praising their relentless dedication to MSME empowerment and India’s export ambitions. His words echoed the summit’s core message: national progress through resilient industry leadership.
Volunteer Recognition and Final Words
At the conclusion of the summit, President Anant Srivastava personally recognized the volunteers for their outstanding service, presenting certificates of appreciation as a symbol of gratitude. Their efforts were instrumental in ensuring the event’s seamless execution.
Vikas Singh Chauhan (Director, HEWA), in his closing note, reaffirmed HEWA’s long-term vision:
“Our goal is to empower artisans and manufacturers to connect directly with international markets. This summit strengthens our resolve. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all international buyers and distinguished guests for gracing the summit with their presence. As we move from dialogue to collaboration, we invite you to join us for a networking lunch—a space to connect, reflects, and builds lasting partnerships.”
HEWA’s Pledge: In Line with the Ministry of MSME
“Whatever responsibility is entrusted to us by the Government of India, we will deliver 100%—with integrity, dedication, and in accordance with the law—for the nation.”
HEWA continues to walk in step with the Ministry of MSME’s mission—to boost Indian textile MSMEs through global exposure, policy advocacy, and capacity building.
Conclusion: Leading India’s Textile Revolution
The 2nd International Home Textile Summit not only reaffirmed Panipat’s rich legacy but also underscored India’s growing potential as a global leader in sustainable textile exports. With the support of the Ministry of MSME, the guidance of Chief Guest Shri Suresh Prabhu Ji, and the leadership of President Anant Srivastava, HEWA is paving the way for a stronger, self-reliant, and globally integrated textile future under Viksit Bharat 2047.
