Textiles Minister inaugurates 53rd IIGF Monday

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SME Times News Bureau | 14 Jul, 2014
Minister of State for Textiles, (Independent Charge), Santosh Kumar Gangwar has inaugurated the 53rd India International Garment Fair, 2014 at Pragati Maidan on New Delhi on Monday.

Gangwar during the inauguration underlined the fact that, "53rd India International Garment Fair is India's largest garment show in South Asia, covering Apparel and Fashion Accessories; encompassing a vast exhibition area of around 19533 square meters."

The objective is to showcase latest garment and fashion accessories' trends developed and created in India. The show is organized by AEPC in association with AEMA, GEA and CMAI as partner associations and GEAR as the co-organisers.

"India has the significant advantage of a young population offering huge potential for a demographic dividend. This apparel sector being the highest employment provider in the manufacturing sector, especially for women and the other weaker section of society, has a much bigger role and responsibility," Minister added.

Zohra Chatterji, Secretary Textiles, Monika S Garg, (JS Exports), Virender Uppal, Chairman AEPC, Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman (EP), Puneet Kumar, Secretary General AEPC, all other Executive Committee Members and Apparel Exporters Associations along with the Senior officials of the Ministries, dignitaries from Embassies and esteemed buyers hailing from across the world were also present during the inauguration.

Virender Uppal, Chairman AEPC during the inauguration stated that, "The 53rdIIGF has attracted 416 buyers, which are divided almost 50:50 between the traditional and non- traditional market. This is an indication that the buyers from the non-traditional markets have started showing faith and see India to be a safe and compliant destination for sourcing garments."

2799 buyers have registered on our website and 416 buyers have confirmed; who would be covered under the Market Assistance Initiative (MAI) scheme of the Ministry of commerce for the fair.

Sudhir Sekhri Chairman (Export Promotion) at AEPC said, "RMG export sector contributes 4.8 percent share in the India's overall commodity exports; RMG ranks 7th in foreign exchange earnings from all commodity exports in FY 2013-14 for India; sector predominantly for SMEs."

Virender Uppal in presence of Minister underlined, "Traditional market for the garment sector consists of EU (28 countries), USA and Canada. These markets accounts almost 67 percent share in India's export to world in 2013 as against 81 percent in 2005.

Currently India's garment exports to non-traditional market are growing at 17 percent per annum since 2005, which is almost 3 times higher than the RMG export growth in traditional market.

"Need is to expand the scope and reach to the unexplored areas of the world to leverage and synergize the advantage that India already possesses," he added.

Virender Uppal requested Government for the Upward Revision of Duty Drawback to take care of various anomalies, Employment generation linked tax credit for set-off against direct / indirect taxes in a staggered manner, 3 percent interest subvention scheme in the RMG sector available till 31st March 2014 should be continued for 12th Plan period also.

Separate chapter for pre and post shipment export credit at fixed rate of 7 percent Interest by including apparel in priority sector lending.

Virender Uppal also recommended, that schemes of Chapter 3 of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) may be extended up to the year 2014-19, so that exporters could plan their marketing strategies on long term basis, In traditional countries like EU and US, duty scrip may be increased from 2 percent to 5 percent, Duty Scrip at 7 percent on FOB value of exports to countries like Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, where rate of freight charges to FOB are very high, Export promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme to be extended in XII Five year plan. Zero duty EPCG Scheme should be made available to Apparel Exporters who have availed benefit of Technological Up gradation Fund Scheme (TUFS).

Buyers from across the globe including Brazil, UK, USA, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Poland, Japan, UAE, Australia, Hong Kong, UK, Spain, Australia, etc. are visiting in the fair. The big buyers includes One Jeanswear Group from USA, Grupo Hotelshops, Mexico, Alpelo Conf. E.com Ltd from Brazil, OSP Group (Red Cat) from USA, Cape Union Mart from South Africa, PJSC Melon Fashion Group from Russia, The Original Factory Shop from UK, Cortefiel from Spain, Lulu International from UAE, etc. 416 numbers of buyers from 59 counties have confirmed their visit to the fair.

This event also has exhibitors from across the length and breadth of India, including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bangalore, Orissa and Punjab. The 53rd IIGF has four Categories of exhibits: Womenswear, Menswear, Kidswear and Fashion Accessories.

To showcase the range of design and emerging fashion trends fashion shows shall be held twice a day during all the three day fair. The Best Display Award Function would also be held on 15th July, 2014 where three Trophies – Gold, Silver and Bronze and six Certificates of merit would be given to the best displayed stalls during the fair.