Skill development, technology adoption and global trade practices are imperative for the weaving sector to achieve its full potential, observed the Chairman and Managing Director of Lakshmi Machine Works Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu. Delivering the keynote address at the first edition of Weaves, a textile fair now under way at Texvalley, an integrated textile shopping mall in Erode, he pointed out that compared to spinning, the supply chain representing weaving, finishing and processing has a lot to catch up in terms of adopting standards, robustness and modernisation. With the pace at which fashion is changing today, the lead time from farm-to-shop floor is drastically shrinking, forcing every stakeholder in the entire textile product value chain, including weavers, to become agile and respond quickly, the Managing Director of LMW said. The four-day expo is to conclude on December 8. Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Texvalley, the event is being conducted under the theme ‘Global Connect for Weaving’.
Foreign participation: The fair has attracted over 250 exhibitors, including weavers, machinery manufacturers and fabric makers. Exhibitors and buyers from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar were also present. The expo is expected to attract over 6,000 visitors and generate revenue of around ₹800 crore. In his inaugural address, the Vice-Chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council A Sakthivel said the State accounts for 60 per cent of export of yarn and fabrics and 85 per cent of knitwear. Tirupur knitwear cluster has, after over three decades of exporting knitwear garments, begun to show a negative growth in business and the industry is doing everything to make a come back. The government should create a level playing field to help the industry compete in the global market effectively before further setback, he said. Marketing support: The past Chairman of CII Erode zone C Devarajan said while weavers were doing remarkable work, they lacked marketing support. “There are a number of weaving clusters and each is unique in their own way. This expo, we perceive will bring the exhibitors here to limelight,” he said. The immediate past Chairman of PDEXCIL (Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council) M Duraisamy said that the Council is keen to set up a CAD centre for the benefit of the weaving community. Weaves featured the first of its kind Fashion Show this morning featuring the blend of rich tradition and modernity.
