“We are focusing on garmenting and export also, in Surat and south Gujarat we already have all value chain of MMF fibers, starting from yarn, fabric and ethnic ware, but something in lacking in garmenting, so this year we are focusing on garmenting and exports, so that in next five years we can go toe to toe with china.”
About SITEX 2023:
The SITEX exhibition, held in Surat, has brought together over 100 participants from the world’s leading companies in the textile industry. With an expected turnout of 25000 visitors over three days, the exhibition aims to upgrade the textile industry in South Gujarat, which is the hub of MMF textiles. The organizers have high expectations for the growth of the industry, with a goal to increase exports from 6-7% to 20% in the next five years. To achieve this, the focus is on introducing new technologies to help upgrade factories and increase production capacity. The event promises to be a great opportunity for the industry to learn and grow.
At SITEX 2023, Textile Value Chain Talked with Mr. Himanshu Bodawala, President, SGCCI,
What are your views and focus on the current state of industries in Surat?
At chamber of commerce, we are focusing on garmenting and export also, in Surat and south Gujarat we already have all value chain of MMF fibers, starting from yarn, fabric and ethnic ware, but something in lacking in garmenting, so this year we are focusing on garmenting and exports, so that in next five years we can go toe to toe with china.
Our honorable textile minister, Mr. Piyush Goyal, already mentioned that we have to reach the 100-billion-dollar export mark and to cater that, there should be upgradation and garmenting. These are must.
We also have our next exhibition in Bangladesh after a few days. At present Bangladesh is the second largest hub of garment manufacturing and Surat being the largest hub of MMF manufacturing in India, we are trying to get the connectivity and business from Bangladesh so that they can procure their fabric from Surat.
What do you think about the government initiatives to boost the textile industry in India?
We are very much thankful for the Indian Government to give a scheme like TUFS, it is due to the scheme like TUFS, the industry has upgraded its technology for good. And in the future, we are expecting similar kind of schemes from the government for the textile industry
We are also thankful for the FTAs, currently we have FTAs with Australia and UAE, and the FTAs with UK and Bangladesh are also in the pipeline. Looking at all the FTAs that are coming into the future, it will be a very big game changer for the textile industry of South Gujarat.
Apart from current government schemes, what should be included to boost textile machineries manufacturing?
The textile industry of south Gujarat is expecting some schemes for the machine manufacturers. So that the local machinery manufacturers can compete with foreign machinery to boost a competitive market.
What is your message to current exhibitors and those who are going to take part in future editions?
My message to all the exhibitors and visitors to get collaborative with each other. Let’s think of the future, let’s focus on exports. The domestic market of India is very good but we should now focus on export also. I want to give my best wishes to all the exhibitors and visitors for the future expansion and business.
