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Textiles Minister K S Rao Holds Interactive Session with Textile Industry Leaders of Karnataka
Explains Vision for Robust Growth of Textile Industry The Union Minister of Textiles Dr. K Sambasiva Rao held an interaction meeting in Bangalore with various textile industry associations namely, Spinning Mill Association, Powerloom Weavers Associations, Garment Manufacturers/Exporters Associations and Integrated textile parks. Leading entrepreneurs from all the segments of textile industry participated in the interaction meeting. Mr. A B Joshi, Textile Commissioner, Government of India welcomed the participants and gave introductory address briefing the current status of the entire gamut of textile industry of Karnataka and opened the interactive session. Dr. Rao explained his vision for the competitive growth of the textile industry for achieving targets of 12th plan as under: 1. Undertaking appropriate National Fibres Policy and New Textile Policy. 2. Achieving a dominant global standing for India in the manufacture and export of textiles and clothing. 3. Create one crore employment opportunities in the entire textile and clothing value chain. 4. Strategic and time-bound action for building up most modern manufacturing capacity of Indian textile industry so that not only the visionary target of export could be achieved but we may address the growing demands of domestic markets and satisfy the needs of domestic consumers, which is growing fast among other countries of the world.

K S Rao Takes Charge as New Textiles Minister

Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao took over as the new Union Minister for Textiles on June 19.. Dr. Rao is a Lok Sabha member from Eluru constituency of Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao takes over the charge of Union Minister for Textiles, in New Delhi on June 19, 2013. Speaking to mediapersons after taking charge as the new Textiles Minister, Dr. Rao expressed concern over the current account deficit (CAD) which is affecting the nations economy. He highlighted that the textiles sector is one sector where we can increase the exports substantially. I am given to understand that our export in textiles is about USD 34 billion today, which I wish to make at least USD 50 billion by the year end. For this we have to encourage the skill development, and speak to all the industrialists in particular to find out what exactly are their problems, what type of support they require from the government and how they will be able to increase the exports. And that will solve the problem of CAD also and the country will be out of woes. Dr. Rao also assured that the Ministry will do everything possible to provide employment in a big way to poorer sections of the society, and increase the exports in a big way and do justice to the cotton growers as well as the handloom weavers. Putting stress on the fact the skill development is paramount, Dr. Rao said that when there are skills with the people of the country, the growth will go up, the production will go up, the cost of production will come down, and then we will be able to compete in the international market. He wished to encourage providing skills to all those people, preferably freely. As per the MoT, Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao was born on October 2, 1943 in Dosapadu, Distt. Krishna, Andhra Pradesh. He holds B.E. degree from the Regional Engineering College, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh. He was first elected to 8th Lok Sabha in 1984 and was re-elected in 1989, 1998, 2004 and 2009 again to 9th, 12th, 14th and 15th Lok Sabha respectively. NCM-JULY 2013 87

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Several issues concerning the textile industry including continuation of Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), cotton availability and prices, problems of silk powerloom weavers, setting up of yarn bank and common facility centres in powerloom clusters, problem of labour shortage were raised by the industry. Each of issues was addressed by the Textiles Minister. Dr. Rao declared that the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme will be continued and necessary orders will by the Ministry of Textiles shortly. He also informed that he has understood the need for yarn banks and common facility centres for powerloom clusters and the same will be examined by the Ministry of Textiles on priority basis. As regard to shortage of trained workforce, Dr. Rao assured that the matter shall be addressed in consultation with the State Government for providing the entrepreneurs necessary assistance for in-house training of manpower. Dr. Rao commended the contribution of garment industry of Karnataka in countrys precious foreign exchange earnings and for catering employment to large workforce, particularly social empowerment of women. Dr. Rao requested the entrepreneurs of Karnataka to diversify into the manufacture of technical textiles which has huge potential for growth. The Textiles Minister requested the industry to build brand equity for the Indian Textiles in the world market. He also informed that the Ministry of Textiles is implementing various developmental schemes for the growth of textile industry including Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), Technology Mission of Technical Textiles, Group work shed scheme for powerloom weavers, Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks, Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Workers etc. and urged the textile industry to modernise the industry by availing the above schemes of the Ministry of Textile .

Textiles Minister K S Rao Held Interactive Session with Textile Industry Leaders of Karnataka. He explained his Vision for Robust Growth of the Textile Industry (Pics of his visit) NCM-JULY 2013 88

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Textiles Minister K S Rao visits Chawki Rearing Centre in Karnataka The Union Minister of Textiles Dr. K Sambasiva Rao, also visited the Chawki Rearing Centre, in Ramanagara district of Karnataka. Dr. Rao evinced keen interest in various technologies adopted by the unit targeting higher production and productivity. He was immensely impressed about the practices being followed and service rendered by the centre for the socio-economic upliftment of the farmers to develop the sericulture industry. Dr. Rao also interacted with the personnel working at the unit and farmers about the income generation and involvement of young generation in the industry. He expressed happiness about younger persons taking up sericulture as a sustainable income generating avocation. Mr. Sadasiva, owner of the Chawki Rearing Centre explained the activities of CRC to Textiles Minister Dr. Rao, Mrs. Monica Garg, Joint Secretary (Silk), Ministry of Textiles, Mrs. Ishita Roy, Member Secretary, Central Silk Board, Bangalore and officers of Central Silk Board and Department of Sericulture, Karnataka. He explained that the CRC made a humble foray into the then not-sopopular enterprise of scientific commercial silkworm chawki rearing in the year 1994 when the average farmers cocoon yield was hovering around 30 Kg. per 100 dfls with rampant crop losses of about 50%. Realising the importance of Chawki rearing concept for sustainable and increased cocoon productivity, the CRC is contributing in the supply of healthy chawki worms to the sericulture farmers by meticulously following the technologies covering egg handling, incubation, black boxing, brushing, maintenance optimal conditions of humidity and temperature, scientific rearing management upto II instar and appropriate transportation of chawki worms to the

Chawki Rearing
Rearing of young age silkworms up to 2nd moult is called as chawki rearing. This stage of larvae requires ideal environmental conditions, tender mulberry leaves. Robust growth and development of chawki larvae make them resistant to diseases and more stress tolerant during later stages of development. Silkworm layings should be procured only from licensed seed preparers which are tested and certified as disease free layings (dfls). Under normal recommended cultivation practices of mulberry 250-300 dfls can be brushed per crop per acre. Silkworm layings have to be transported in egg carrying boxes, during cooler hours of the day from the grainages to the place of rearing. Transportation in egg transportation boxes avoids exposure of layings to extreme temperatures and humidity. During incubation period care should be taken to preserve the layings in a disease free environment, with high relative humidity of more than 80% and temperature of 2425oC. The embryo inside the eggs grows healthly utilizing the reserved food materials in the yolk and prepares to hatch on the 10th day of egg laying. It is important to maintain the ideal temperature, humidity and hygiene during incubation by following a suitable recommended technique. NCM-JULY 2013 89

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farmers. The concerted efforts of the CRC made the unit as a Role Model for other enterpreneurs. At present, the unit is brushing about 70 lakh dfls per year serving the needs of about 20,000 farmers and achieved an assured average cocoon yield of 65 Kg/ 100 dfls. Dr. Rao also paid a visit to the rearing of silkworms by shoot method by Mr. Ambareesh and appreciated his efforts for adopting the latest recommended technologies for achieving the increased productivity. New Minister of Textiles visits Central Silk Board (CSB) Union Minister of Textiles Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao visited Central Silk Board, Bangalore on 4th July 2013. He released "Anantha" a new high yielding mulberry variety, "FAQ Manual on Central Seed Act" and "Nemahari" a semi herbal nematicide. He also had interaction meet with statkeholders from sericulture and silk industry. Textiles Ministry to double sericulture farming area The Textile Ministry has set a target of 32,000 metric tonnes of raw silk production by doubling its farming area from the existing 1.81 lakh hectare in the country, said Union Textile Minister Dr Kavuru Sambasiva Rao. Addressing a press conference at the Central Silk Board, Rao said the textile industry is the second major sector after agriculture in the country. But majority of the sericulturists are marginal farmers with one or two acres of land. We want to double the farming area to increase the production and also assist people involved in the sector by providing auto-reeling machine, said Rao. The minister further said that ever since he assumed office, he has been touring different places including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Coimbatore, NCM-JULY 2013 90

The Minister isiting the Chawki Rearing Centre, in Ramanagara, Karnataka

Release of "Anantha" - new high yielding mulberry variety Interaction meet of stakeholders from sericulture and silk industry

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Surat, Jaipur, Varanasi and Jalandhar and met people in various sectors to understand their problems to improve the textile industry. Considering that many poor people are involved in handloom sector, the Union government is making a provision of Rs 1,000 crore to revive the industry. Through the facility, loans can be issued to buy raw material and machines at a nominal interest rate, said the minister. This would reduce workload and stress among the people dependent on the handloom sector. To check fluctuation of cotton prices that pushes industry into uncertainty, the minister said, At least Rs 20,000 crore would be required to save the industry from such an uncertainty. However, the government is ready to extend at least Rs 800 crore to deal with fluctuation issue. Remote sensing Vice-chairperson of the Central Silk Board, Monika S Garg, said the board would encourage production of Tussar, Eri, Muga and Mulberry Vanya varieties of silk. As the traditional areas of raw silk production have shrunk due to industrial activities particularly in and around the Bengaluru International Airport, the Silk Board is searching for non-traditional sectors with the help of Indian Space Research Organisation through the Remote Sensing Technology to encourage raw silk production. Union Minister of Textiles Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao also visits Surat Announces Rs. 150 crore aid for powerloom industry Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao, Union Minister of Textiles, alongwith Smt. Sunaina Tomar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Textile Commissioner and Chairman, The Synthetic Rayon & Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) visited one Textile park in Minister of Textiles Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao in a meeting in Surat the city developed under the Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) alongwith one modern synthetic processing house and one modern garmenting unit. The Minister while appreciating the efforts taken by the NCM-JULY 2013 91 entrepreneurs in surat to modernize their units, also suggested the entrepreneurs to take measures to have a quantum jump in exports. He also suggested for giving more emphasis on continuous training so that they

Govt. Reimburses losses to CCI on sale of cotton procured under MSP

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, on June 28, approved reimbursement of losses amounting to Rs. 719.41 crore to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) on Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations in the cotton season 2012-13. CCI would be conducting domestic and export sales. The apportionment of these sales would be decided by an inter ministerial committee consisting of representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Commerce, Textiles and the Department of Revenue, to strike an appropriate balance between interests of domestic users and producers. The Government of India, under the Price Support System (PSS) for the cotton season 2012-13 fixed the MSP for Long Staple (LS) and Medium Staple (MS) varieties of raw cotton at Rs.3,900/- per quintal and Rs.3,600/ - per quintal respectively. This led to a hike in MSP price of 29 percent and 18 percent respectively over the previous year. Cotton prices in Andhra Pradesh touched MSP prices in October 2012 and procurement under MSP operations commenced in the districts of Warangal, Guntur and Adilabad. The CCI procured 22.65 lakh bales of seed kapas under price stabilization operations from October 2012 to February 2013 at a total cost of Rs.5,807.95 crore. The CCI has successfully stabilized prices in Andhra Pradesh and avoided farmer distress with timely payments. Cotton prices then crossed MSP prices in March 2013 in Andhra Pradesh.

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dont face the problem of shortage of work force. In the afternoon, the Minister had an interaction meeting with all stake holders including office bearers of South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce (SGCCI), Processors Associations, Textile Machinery Manufacturing Association (TMMA), Powerloom Associations, Textile Research Associaion, Integrated Textile Park and SRTEPC etc., Leading entrepreneurs from all the segments of textile industry participated in the interaction meeting. Shri.A.B. Joshi, Textile Commissioner, Govt. of India welcomed the participants and gave introductory address briefing the current status of the entire gamut of synthetic textile industry in surat and opened the interactive session. Several issues concerning the synthetic textile industry including continuation of Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), High Interest rate, Uniform tax regime, Anti dumping duty, more parks in surat, task force, council for textile parks, more fund for R&D, focused product scheme, more duty draw back, fabric exhibition, setting up of yarn bank and common facility centres in powerloom clusters, problem of labour shortage were raised by the industry. Each of the issues was addressed by the Minister of Textiles. He also informed that he has understood the need for yarn banks, common facility centres, duty draw back, task force, high interest rate, anti dumping, more parks, R&D etc., The Minister also stressed the need for skill upgradation in a big way and the same will be examined by the Ministry of Textiles on priority basis. Smt. Sunaina Tomar, Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Textiles appraised of the current status of the issues raised before the Minister and assured of positive approach of the Ministry of Textiles to clinch the matter in shortest possible time. The Minister said he is committed to help the industry to increase the production, exports

and upgradation of skill development. In his maiden visit to Surat, the new Union textile minister announced Rs 150 crore worth of scheme for upgrading the conventional powerloom machines in the city. The scheme is expected to directly benefit over 2.5 lakh powerloom machines, which fall under the category of 'plain looms'. The financial assistance under this scheme would help the weavers to upgrade their powerloom machines to semi-automatic looms. Announcing the scheme, the minister said : "As per the survey by the NCM-JULY 2013 92

textile commissioner's office, about 40 per cent of powerloom machines in the city fall under the category of plain looms. I have proposed Rs 150 crore worth of upgradation scheme for such powerlooms. This would help weavers to increase their production." When he was asked about his opinion on the need for increasing the export of yarn and the need to abolish anti-dumping duty, he said : "I firmly believe that the weaving industry should not suffer due to the export of yarn. But at the same time, anti-dumping duty cannot be removed overnight. I will take up this issue with the con-

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cerned ministries at the Centre." The minister said there was an urgent need to create skilled manpower for the textile industry. The textile entrepreneurs should join hands with the textile commissioner's office and find ways and means to ease the situation. He said out of the total 57 integrated textile parks across the country, six are up and running in and around Surat. The ministry will consider giving more permissions for setting up textile parks in the city. Dr Rao was supposed to visit MANTRA (Man-made Textile Research Association) facility in the textile hub on Ring Road in the evening, but he cut short his visit as he was literally forced by the Congress leaders to meet the workers and leaders at the Congress karyalay at Nanpura. Many industry leaders, however, were seen very upset because of this. "Mantra is funded by the Central Government and it is the duty of the minister to visit the facility and know about the problems and issues", they felt.

"Gujarat Pollution Control Board warns industries using unauthorized fuel"

Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has warned that strict action including closure of industrial units will be taken against those using unauthorized fuel and adding to air pollution. The warning came from Mr. Hardik Shah, member secretary of GPCB, during his day-long visit to Surat recently. Mr. Shah met representatives of industry and builders at the office of South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries and asked the industry to implement an action plan to deal with environmental issues. He said, "Every one needs to understand and act while keeping in mind the environmental concerns. Sensitization must begin immediately." "If you don't stop using unauthorized fuel we will not hesitate to take strict action," he warned those contributing to increasing air pollution. He also called for working on ways and means to use sewerage water for industrial use after being treated. banks particularly by State bank of India, Canara Bank, Andhra Bank, United Bank of India in this regard. SBI is bearing the guarantee fee required by Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) for providing credit guarantee on loans extended by SBI. The CEOs of banks have assured me to extend full support in extending the loan to handloom weavers and they will monitor the progress of issuance of weavers credit card at their level, the minister added. It is widely acknowledged that availability of subsidised working capital is one of the essential requirements for growth of the handloom sector. The government has approved Financial Package as well as Comprehensive Package in 2011 to ensure the smooth flow of credit to handloom sector. Under the financial package, the overdue loan of handloom cooperatives and individual weavers as on 31.3.2010 is being waived and banks have to provide fresh credit with interest subvention of 3% and credit guarantee for 3 years. Those weavers who are not getting benefits under financial package are being assisted through institutional credit component of comprehensive package wherein Weavers Credit Cards (WCC) NCM-JULY 2013 93 are being issued to handloom weavers and government is providing 3% interest subvention along with credit guarantee through CGTMSE and margin money assistance. Further, appreciating the importance of much needed subsidised credit for handloom sector, on the request of Ministry of Textiles, the Finance Minister in his budget speech for 201314, has announced loan to handloom sector at 6% interest rate. The Ministry has also developed web enabled application for online submission of progress of issuance of weavers credit card by banks and state governments (www.wcchandlooms.in) Textiles Minister Concerned Over Delays in Submission of Subsidy Claims in TUFS Asks Banks to Monitor TUFS Online In a meeting with the CMDs and General Managers of all the Banks to discuss issues pertaining to Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), the Textiles Minister expressed concerns over the delay in submission of subsidy claims as well as partial submission of claims. Apart from these, Dr. Rao shared concerns over the following issues :

Textiles Minister seeks banks' support to sort out textile sector issues
70,000 Weaver Credit Cards Issued Sanctioning Rs. 210 Crore Loan In order to ensure the availability of subsidised credit to handloom weavers, Union Textiles Minister Dr. K S Rao recently met heads of major banks. He was informed that around 70,000 weaver credit cards have been issued and loan of more than Rs. 210 crore has been sanctioned to handloom weavers. After the meeting Dr. Rao said: I had a meeting with Chief Executive Officers of Nationalised Banks to review the progress of issuance of weavers credit card and to sensitise them to the credit needs of weavers. He lauded the efforts being made by

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1. As per the Government Resolution on restructured TUFS (R-TUFS), the Lending Agencies are required to submit the subsidy claims by 5th of the month of the following quarter. However, very few Lending Agencies submit the claims as per the specified date. 2. The claims are to be made along with Utilization Certificate, Claim Correctness Certificate. Generally, these certificates submitted by Lending Agencies are not in order, which again result in delays in processing of claims. 3. There is considerable delay in submission of applications of Unique Identity Numbers (UIDs) under RTUFS for pre-authorisation by the Lending Agencies. As a result, the Industry is at the mercy of Lending Agencies. There are many cases prior to 31.03.2012 pending with Lending Agencies for UIDs which are not submitted by them within the stipulated time of 16.07.2012. Earlier also such instances happened in large numbers which resulted in creation of List-II cases under Modified TUFS. The banks were asked to give details of all pending claims including details of black out and other pending cases with them by the end of this month. The banks also agreed to address the issues of less staff of TUFS, frequent transfers and poor training who deals with TUFS cases. Dr. Rao also emphasised on all the banks and the officers to consider online monitoring of all the TUFS cases. He assured that no pendency regarding any issues pertaining to TUFS shall be pending in the Ministry of Textiles. The Textiles Minister also emphasised that the prospects for growth of the sector in India are very favourable and after extensive meetings with industry and exporters, he is of the view that export can be doubled. He called upon the banks to liberally fund investments in the sector to support the growth.

Reviews of Wool and Carpet sectors

The Union Minister of Textiles Dr. K.S.Rao recently held a meeting with the stake holders of Wool and Carpet Industry to prepare a road map to increase the woollen and carpet export. During the discussion, major issues related to growth of the sector like pasture farm for sheep grazing, feed supplement for sheep during summer season, skill development training for Carpet weaving and sheep husbandry, MAI/MDA issues, modernisation of woollen processing machineries were discussed. Issues related to rationalisation of import duty on raw wool and woollen processing machineries were also discussed. Quarantine and recyclable (shoddy) shawl industry issues were also discussed. The Textiles Minister at the conclusion assured the industry representatives that problems related to them will be looked into and expedited to resolve them. The Minister of State for Textiles Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi, Secretary (Textiles) Smt. Zohra Chatterjee, senior Officers from Ministry of Textiles, Chairmen from different Export Promotion Councils of Wool and Carpet sectors and representatives from different segments of wool sector including sheep breeders, angora farmers, wool industrialists and scientists were present in the session.

Governments, apart from the non-official members with diverse backgrounds and experiences representing almost all States of the country. Addressing the members the Minister outlined various initiative of the Ministry for a comprehensive and sustainable development of the craft sector in the country. He specifically mentioned about the difficult times our economy is going through at present on account of first the economic slowdown in the developed world and secondly on account of recent hardening of the US Dollar against the Indian currency. This has impacted all sectors of our economy including the handicraft sector. He however, assured the gathering that the Government is committed to do all it can to bring about visible changes for the people and sectors affected. While outlining the present initiatives of the Government in the craft sector, the Minister remarked that for the 12th Plan, the Government has articulated a vision which aims to create a globally competitive Handicrafts Sector and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the artisans through innovative products designs, improvement in product quality, introduction of modern technology and preserving traditions. While the 12th Plan proposals are under various stages of appraisal/approval, he mentioned that many new initiatives are in the pipeline and they will be rolled out soon after the schemes are approved. He hoped for a better future for the craft sector both in the domestic and International markets. Speaking on the occasion Smt. Panaabaka Laxmi, the Minister of State for Textiles outlined the ministries resolve to do the best possible for servicing this unorganized sector where the artisans, predominantly in the rural areas, derive their substance. Smt. Zohra Chatterjee, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles remarked about the Ministrys resolve to further strengthen

Dr K S Rao Chairs Meeting of all India Handicraft Board

Assures Quick Roll out of 12th Plan Schemes Dr. Kavuru Samba Siva Rao, the Minister of Textiles recently chaired a meeting with the members of All India Handicrafts Board comprising of officials from different Ministries and Departments of Central and State NCM-JULY 2013 94

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and consolidate the governments efforts towards an enhanced level of economic growth of the artisanal community in the country. Shri S.S. Gupta, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) expressing his gratitude to the Members of the Board remarked that their continued feedback and suggestions would enable the Ministry to further align and focus various programmes and initiatives in future so as to ensure that the artisanal community in the country and other stakeholders in the sector work jointly for the common goal of bringing Indian handicrafts to each home not only in our country but in other several countries of the world. The Board performs an advisory role whereby during such interactions, the Ministry of Textiles receives various useful suggestions aimed at ameliorating the problems and concerns of the crafts sector.

Indian Handicrafts Exhibitors Secure Business of Over US$ Three Million at the Conclusion of Threeday Giftex World 2013 in Tokyo Japan : EPCH
New Delhi - Indian handicrafts companies participating in the three-day GIFTEX WORLD 2013 generated a business of worth over US$ three million which concluded at Tokyo Big Sight Japan recently. Ms. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, Ambassador, Embassy of India, Tokyo-Japan inaugurated India Pavilion at the GIFTEX WORLD 2013 at Tokyo Big Sight Japan on June 26, 2013.

Overseas Inquiry from Turkey

Mr. Cem Cetin, (Agent/Wholesaler) Owner, Pentafil Tekstil San. Tic. Ltd. Sti.
A. Nafiz Gurman Mah. Gundogdu Sk.

Ms. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, Ambassador, Embassy of India, TokyoJapan inaugurating India Pavilion at the GIFTEX WORLD 2013 in Tokyo The Executive Director of Export Promotion Council For Handicrafts (EPCH), Mr. Rakesh Kumar led a delegation of 20 member exporters of Indian Handicrafts to participate in the famous Giftex World 2013 at Tokyo Big Sight Japan from 26-28 June, 2013. Around 1800 exhibitors and nearly 70,000 trade buyers visited this 6-in-1 international fair to source their requirements. This year 27 countries participated in the fair and India's first time participation in this fair was next only to China and South Korea. Ambassador of India to Japan interacted with the EPCH member exhibitors and shared valuable tips to develop business in typical Japanese Market. The exhibitors represented various parts of India specially from West Bengal, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Japan represents tremendous business opportunities for Indian handicrafts exporters in growing Asian market. Embassy of India in Japan will extend necessary support to EPCH to formulate a road map for promotion of Indian Handicrafts in Japanese market by organising Buyer Seller Meets, Induction of Japanese Merchandising Designers and Inviting Japanese trade visitors to Indian Fairs. NCM-JULY 2013 95

Inan Apt., A 2/1 Blok No.: 34/4 Gungoren, Merter, Istanbul, Turkey Phone : 0090-212-5058164 Fax : 0090-212-5058165 Mobile : 0090-532-3703292 Email : cem@pentafil.com

Interested in Polyester Spun Yarn (Ne 60/1, Ne 80/1), PTY (DTY and FDY)
If interested, you may directly contact the concerned buyer/agent along with the details of your products, price quotes, terms of trade, etc. You are advised to verify the financial standing of the overseas firms while finalizing business deals.

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Moreover, Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director EPCH, has been invited by Osaka International Business Promotion Center in this visit for strategic partnership with EPCH for Japanese product designers support for Handicrafts Sector in India. The Indian Exhibitor profile includes Variety Gifts, Accessories, Interior Goods, Home Accessories, Kitchenware, Tableware, Home Textile, Christmas Accessories, Fashion Goods, Accessories, Fancy Goods, Eco-friendly Goods. "Handicrafts occupies an important place in the Indian economy and society. This product group is a large foreign exchange earner, employment generator for economically and socially backward classes and promoter of Indian ethnic, cultural heritage worldwide," the Executive Director of the Council added. Japan is the second largest market in the world, after USA but slightly ahead of Germany for consumer and capital goods. Japan imports goods &. services worth US$ 700 billion and is presently India's key trading partner in the Asian region. The Japanese have many gift giving traditions and exchange many high value gifts during the year. The Japanese lucrative gift market is estimated to be worth US$ 150 billion. The exports of Handicrafts have shown an increase of Rs.17970.12 crores (2012-13] from Rs. 12975.25 crores (2011-12), growth of 38.50% in rupees term. In dollar terms, the exports have shown increase of USD 3304.90 million (2012-13) from USD 2705.66 million (2011-12) a growth of 22.15 % during the period April-March 2012-13. Japan is the second largest market in the world, after USA but slightly ahead of Germany for consumer and capital goods. Japan imports goods &. services worth US$ 700 billion and is presently India's key trading partner in the Asian region. The Japanese have many gift giving traditions and exchange many high value gifts during the year. The Japanese lucrative gift market is estimated to be worth US$ 150 billion.

Eminent exporter Mr. Harish Lan from Moradabad and Mr. Rakesh Kumar ED, EPCH discusses the prospects of handicrafts exports to Japan with Ms Deena Gopalan Wacihwa, Ambassador of India to Japan during GIFTEX WORLD TOKYO 2013 NTC Young Designer Hunt Contest

NTC successfully hunts the most talented designers

NTC had launched the Young Designer Hunt Contest on December 26, 2012 in A Grand function in Delhi. The hunt was inaugurated by the MoT. This hunt was aimed at selecting 10 best designers in different categories viz Apparel, Home Decor, Furniture, Accessories & Handicraft & Heritage who would deNCM-JULY 2013 96

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sign the merchandise for the Brand India stores, a global retail offering of NTC, to bring all apparels, home dcor, furniture, handicrafts and accessories etc. under one roof. NTC received an overwhelming response throughout India, out of which Shri Raghvendra Rathore and his team had selected 42 applicants. Out of these 42 applicants, NTC has now selected the most talented designers through NTC Young Designer Hunt at Grand Finale on 16th May 2013. The winners would get an opportunity to work with NTC on contractual basis for one year and at the same time shall get an opportunity to be personally trained by Shri Raghavendra Rathore, Indias ace global designer and NTC Brand champion for Brand India stores. NTC participated in Home Furnishing Exhibition Hometex 2013 In order to create a substantial presence in the Home Furnishing section, NTC participated in the Home Furnishing exhibition at Bangalore where it displayed its wide range of Bed Linen, Bath Linens, and Yarn. NTC displayed its products across the textile value chain. NTC conveyed its intention to launch its value for money brands in the field of shirts, denims, innerwear etc.

The Union Minister for Textiles, Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao lighting the lamp to inaugurate the Indian 6th Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Show, in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Smt. Zohra Chatterji is also seen.

Textiles Minister Inaugurates Indian Fashion Jewellery and Accessories Show 2013
New Delhi : The Union Minister of Textiles Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao inaugurated the 6th edition of the Indian Fashion Jewellery and Accessories Show (IFJAS 2013) in New Delhi. The show is organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). Inaugurating the IFJAS 2013, Dr. Rao

Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao going round the Show after inaugurating the Show said that the exporters have promised to take the export of handicraft from USD 3.34 bn to USD 5 bn this year itself. But my ambition is much more. If the government simplifies various procedures and take the decisions quickly without any red-tapism, and give some financial help to those artisans, providing them basic requirements, a shelter to live, provide food grains at affordable prices, some facilities to their children, and regular training, there is no limit for the growth of the cottage industry. NCM-JULY 2013 97 Dr. Rao further added that India has capacity to cater to all segments of the market viz. high, middle and low end. India also has capacity of presenting variety of raw material bases, designs and prices to suit every dress and styles. In fact, buyers now prefer to alternate fashion jewellery and accessories rather than alternating their costumes which are expensive. The Textiles Minister also urged the exporting community to innovate and improve their techniques and technol-

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ogy of manufacturing and they also need to improve their designs and presentation of products. We have to learn from our competitors various aspects of designs, manufacturing, finishing and presentation, added Dr. Rao. Dr. Rao also released a trend book on Indian Fashion Jewellery and Accessories Spring Summer and Autumn Winter collection. The IFJAS 2013 has around 205 exhibitors and product range on display are Hi fashion jewellery, semi precious jewellery, stoles, scarves, shawls, hand bags, clutch purses, belts, wallets, neck ties, beads, stones, crystals, head, hair accessories, fancy fashion footwear, tattoes and bindies. Ms. Zohra Chatterji, Secretary Textiles and Mr. S.S. Gupta, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) also graced the occasion with their presence.

The Union Textiles Minister releasing the Trends Book on Indian Fashion Jewellery & Accessories, at the inauguration of the IFJAS 2013 Highlights * Owners of textile units in Amritsar rue that the recently released industrial policy has failed to provide relief to the struggling textile units They say highly labour intensive processing units, which have employed thousands of workers, are being forced to shut down Imposition of multiple taxes, costly raw material and the government's failure to modernise plants are seen as the factors responsible for the local industry's plight dent of the Amritsar Textile Processors Association. He said the local processing units had raised the standard of textile in the country. There were about 250 processing units till nineties here, but now the number had come down to a meagre 40 and that too is in small and medium enterprises category, he added. The Gujarat Government has come up with industrial areas equipped with common treatment plants and other facilities which has brought it on the industrial map of the country On the other hand, Amritsars tail end location made it a costly affair for the local industrialists to compete in the national market. A majority of the textile processing units were set up here during the textile boom of the 1960s-70s. Fabric from Surat and Mumbai are better in quality and lower in price. Different excise tax slabs for composite and independent units, too, dealt a blow to the local industry. The nonimplementation of subsidy, as an-

Industrial policy ignores existing industry, say Amritsar textile unit owners
Amritsar : Even as the majority of textile processing units vanished from the city in the past decade, the successive governments never bothered to get to the root of the problem. The owners of many textile units are perturbed as the recently released industrial policy failed to provide relief to this indigenous industry. Hardit Singh Makhni, general secretary, Textile Manufacturers' Association said, "It will be better if the government releases its industrial policy in two parts in future. One for attracting fresh investment and new industries and another for the existing industries of the state." He said the imposition of multiple

taxes, costly raw material, an unsupportive attitude of the government and failure to modernise plants led to the closure of several units, most of which shifted to Gujarat. The conducive environment the Gujarat government provided to the processing units in Surat, coupled with its superior geographical location, the Gujarat industry has grabbed a major share in the domestic textile market, said Krishan Kumar Sharma, presiNCM-JULY 2013 98

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nounced by the Prime Minister, served no better. Sharma said they appeal to the SADBJP government to conduct a survey to find the root cause of the problem. He said their association had taken up the matter with the government to set up common treatment plants. is finished. Ludhiana is known for textile industry and they will not find any difficulty in finding work and will be easily absorbed in the city. people, particularly rural youth, had also started wearing designer clothes like their urban counterparts and such training would create new employment opportunities for rural masses.

Textile & clothing generate maximum employ- Sunaina Tomar, Joint ment, says VC of Secretary, Ministry of Textiles visits Ludhiana Training centre for CCSHAU women to come up in Hisar :Dr KS Khokhar, Vice-Chancel- Ludhiana : A delegation of Knitwear Club, Ludhiana under the leadership lor, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana of Darshan Dawar, President met textile park
Ludhiana : At present, the participation of women in textile industry is a meager two per cent and with an aim to take that percentage up to 25 per cent, the Textile Integrated Park (TIP) will start special training classes for women. The TIP will be setting up a training institute at the textile park where special emphasis will be given to the training of women. For women, emphasis will be laid on training in three fields flat knitting, linking and stitching. "We have received grant of Rs 24 crore while will be getting Rs 16 crore more from the Central Government for the textile park. Stress will be laid on imparting training to women. We are expecting to give training to nearly 400 women in the first slot," said Darshan Dawar, director of Integrated Textile Park. He further said instead of giving sewing machines or ration to women, we aim to make women economically independent. Training in fields like knitting and stitching will be given to women. Dawar further said that women are already doing works like knitting, stitching at home and want them to adopt them as profession. Textile industry does not have night shifts for women and a very congenial environment will be provided to them at workplace once their training Agricultural University (CCSHAU), has called upon the youth to trace their career in the fast-growing textile and garment construction industry also. Dr Khokhar was speaking as the chief guest at the closing of an ICAR-sponsored short course on entrepreneurial development through skill upgradation in apparel designing techniques organised by the Textile & Apparel Designing Department and Directorate of Human Resource Management of the university. A total of 14 teachers, scientists and extension specialists from different agricultural universities and ICAR institutes participated in the training. Dr Khokhar said Indian Textile and Clothing Industry was currently one of the largest and most important industries in India in terms of output, foreign exchange earnings and employment. He said the country was earning nearly Rs 70,000 crore from export of these products and this figure was expected to grow to Rs 90,000 crore by 2020. He said as far as employment opportunities were concerned, this was second largest employment-generating industry where the garment production units alone provided 40 per cent of jobs in the small-scale sector besides offering ample opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow. He further stressed on imparting training on garment construction and designing to ruralites, He said rural NCM-JULY 2013 99 Sunaina Tomar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles at Ludhiana last month. Mr. Dawar said, Labour shortage is becoming a major factor before us. To tackle this problem, we are left with no other option but to depend upon machines. Imported machines are more equipped and thus we import reconditioned machinery from countries like France, Germany and Taiwan. Things have become difficult after the government withdrew subsidy from reconditioned machines. The withdrawal should be taken back as things are becoming really difficult for the industry to survive." A release issued by the Club said, As you know the industry is facing acute shortage of skilled labour as labour from outside Punjab is not coming due to various government schemes like NAREGA which has forced them to remain at their native places. Thus upgradation of Units with modern machines is more relevant today to maintain the time schedule of suppliers. But the industrialists have to face undue delay in getting the subsidy on new machines due to the negligence of the banks. Also from the allotted funds for TUFS, minimum 50 per cent should be kept reserved for the SME sector as the bigger and organised units take maximum benefit out of it and till the time SME's get ready after documentation, funds for them lapse, said Narinder Miglani, general secretary.

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The delegation of knitwear club met Sunaina Tomar, joint secretary, Ministry of Textiles in this regard. The delegation discussed the problems arising from the scheme TUFS as the government has withdrawn subsidy from reconditioned machines, due to which the textile industry is badly affected. The delegation requested to revive the same scheme on reconditioned machines. Sunaina Tomar gave a patient hearing to the problems and assured to mitigate them as soon as possible, the release said, adding she also added that the department has planned to set up the online system to maintain the transparency and benefits of the subsidy, it further reveals. Narinder Miglani (General Secretary), Sanjeev Gupta (president Appeal), Dhruv Aggarwal (Member All India Powerloom Board), Lakshmi Gupta, Dinesh Lakra and Subhash Gupta were among those present.

The delegation of knitwear club with Sunaina Tomar, joint secretary, Ministry of Textiles under diploma in carpet technology and entrepreneurship development (DCTED) of one year duration, said Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Sajad Ahmed Kichloo while interacting with a delegation of artisans from Srinagar. He said the Union Ministry had approved the Rs 5.87 crore project for carpet training. Kichloo said the handicrafts sector of the state was being given a boost. Ten handicrafts clusters in Srinagar city have been set up to promote various types of handicrafts. A handicrafts cluster for paper machine has been set up at Zadibal and Khatamband, walnut wood carving and cooper ware cluster at Safakadal and Pashmina weaving cluster at Noor Bagh, an official spokesman said while quoting Kichloo. Kichloo said in order to bring qualitative and quantitative improvement in handicrafts, modern looms are being provided to all artisans and weavers in a phased manner. About 2,000 such looms have been distributed among the artisans, Kichloo added.

Textile Ministry gives nod to Rs 5.87 cr for carpet training project to upgrade carpet industry
Srinagar : According to the J&K government release, a skill upgrade and entrepreneurship development project for the carpet industry across the Kashmir valley has been approved by the Union Ministry of Textiles. Under the project, 4,300 persons are being trained, which includes 4,200 persons under certificate course in carpet manufacturing (CCM) of four months duration and 100 persons

Rajasthan govt. offers sops to textile industry

The Rajasthan cabinet has decided to provide a special customised package for the development of the textile industry, attracting investment worth Rs.10,000 crore and for creating 50,000 jobs in the next seven years. The cabinet also approved the establishment of a Rajasthan Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation. The state government would provided a share capital of Rs.100 crore to increase credit availability in rural areas.

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The package for the textile industry will be applicable to new enterprises, already established enterprises making investment for modernisation, expansion and diversification and sick units. The government has promised sops including interest-waiver, subsidy and VAT reimbursement to the textile industry. Corporation stepped in and bought cotton from farmers at the support price level of Rs 39,000 a candy. The sale of nearly 7-8 lakh bales has resulted in an approximate loss of Rs 719 crore. Although there was pressure on the Government from the textile industry to direct the corporation to off-load the remaining stock earlier, the Textile Ministry held on, waiting for domestic prices to rise. In a representation apex textiles body Confederation of Indian Textiles Industry in March had said that cotton prices had increased about 15 per cent in the last few weeks and the Corporation should dispose of its stocks to curb the price rise. By selling the rest of the stock at a higher price of Rs 42,500 a candy, the corporation can recover some of its earlier losses, the Minister said. Asked if Cotton Corporation has exported any of the surplus stock, he said, No exports have taken place from the surplus stocks. CCI is basically a trading organization dealing in cotton. CCI's clients i.e. spinning mills are spread over across the country, which puts a greater onus on the organization to reach its client mills and various stakeholders viz., ginning NCM-JULY 2013 101

B.K. Mishra Chairman and MD, CCI

Govt orders sale of cotton procured from open market

Cotton Corpn to sell 14 lakh bales domestically New Delhi : The Textiles Ministry has given the green signal to the Cotton Corporation of India to release the entire stock of 14 lakh bales (170 kg each) of cotton in the domestic market as the prevailing prices are high enough to ensure that it would not suffer any more losses. The CCI will sell the stock in tranches at the prevailing market rates. Currently, Shankar-6, mainly in demand for exports, is ruling at Rs 42,500 for a candy of 356 kg. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao, Minister for Textiles, said that Cotton Corporation has already been asked to offload the stocks it holds in the domestic market. The stock will not be released all at the same time as it will affect prices. Every day, CCI would be releasing about 30,000-40,000 (bales). It is all being done in a transparent manner, said Rao. The Cotton Corporation had built the stocks by buying some 22.65 lakh bales from the open market as part of the Governments market intervention operation after prices dropped below the minimum support level. It has sold 14 lakh bales in the domestic market when prices were ruling lower than the MSP, leading to losses. Prices of cotton had fallen to Rs 34,000 a candy in February, when the

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DyStar and Arvind Limited Denim Division in a Strategic Co-operation
DyStar Indigo Vat 40% Solution will be used at all Arvind Denim Manufacturing facilities Ahmedabad DyStar Group and Arvind Limited have committed to an exciting joint development in the field of denim. According to a DyStar release, this agreement, which was signed on June 21, 2013, between Mr. Harry Dobrowolski, DyStars CEO and Mr. Sanjay Lalbhai, Chairman and Managing Director of Arvind Ltd, promises a comprehensive cooperation.

Garment machinery manufacturers facing challenge from imports

The manufacturers of garment machinery in Ludhiana are losing out to better quality and cost-effective machinery imported from Southeast Asian and European countries. Ludhiana : Once the backbone of the local garments and knitwear industry, garment machinery manufactures are finding it hard to continue. They also blame the government for not providing enough support to them to upgrade their technology. President of the Garments Machinery Manufacturers' and Suppliers' Association, Ram Krishan, said: There was a time when business was booming. But for some years, the industry has been facing tough times. The local garments industry now prefers machines imported from countries like China, Taiwan, Germany and Japan. The imported machines are much better in quality and also increase production manifold. Machines imported from China are cost effective and give an advantage to the garments manufacturing industry, he added. The state of affairs can be gauged from the fact at a point of time there were about 100 garments manufacturers who used circular-knitting machines manufactured by the local industry. But now only 4 or 5 units use the local machinery. Others have installed imported machines, he said. While local machines produce 30-kg product in a day, imported machines produce 300-kg product in a day, he said. Gurdev Singh, the owner of Alex International, a garment machinery manufacturing unit in the city, said the state government had not offered any help to reverse this trend. The lack of technological improvement can be understood from the situation that many machinery manufacturers have become suppliers and import machinery and then sell it, he said. While the Centre has been promoting technological advancement in the textile sector by providing the industry help under the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, the state government is not willing to the same. It categorises us in the engineering industry, he said. For upgrading technology, an industry requires crores of rupees. But no one single industry is in the position to do that, he said. To improve the situation, the association had recently opted for a development programme of the central government for setting up a common facility centre for upgrading technology. But it has been more than a year since we applied for enrolment in the programme, but things are moving at a snail's pace, he added. At present, 58 industries are members of the association, though the actual number of manufacturers in the city is around 100. NCM-JULY 2013 102

Mr. Sanjay Lalbhai, CMD, Arvind Ltd

Moving forward, DyStar Indigo Vat 40% Solution will be used at all Arvind Denim Manufacturing facilities. Dedicated teams from DyStar and Arvind Limited Denim Division will work closely together to implement new technologies in indigo dyeing and finishing as well as develop new products, processes and effects for denim fabrics and garments.
Arvind Ltd., a US $ 1 Bn Lalbhai Group company is one of the largest apparel companies and a pioneer of denim in India. It has the largest portfolio of foreign licensed apparel brands like Arrow, US Polo, GANT, Nautica, Izod and Tommy Hilfiger. With 100 Arvind Stores up and running, Arvind is now aiming to grow the format multi-fold to over 400 stores and to build the 'brand Arvind' into a Rs. 2000 Cr brand by FY 2017-18.

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