In a bid to transform Gujarat from a fabric manufacturing hub to apparel manufacturing hub, textile players are organising a three-day expo ‘Farm to Fashion’ from May 4 in Ahmedabad.
Local manufacturers will display their offerings to buyers from across the country and abroad. Players say instead of selling cotton and fabrics, the idea is to encourage production of garments within the state.
“The idea is to support entire value chain, from farmers to garment manufacturers. Gujarat is the largest producer of cotton in the country so logically we should also be the largest producer and exporter of garments. Ironically, we export cotton and fabrics to competitors like Bangladesh and lose out on apparels. We want players to start garmenting within the state,” said Shailesh Patwari, president of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), which along with Maskati Kapad Market Mahajan is organizing the expo next month.
Relative lower productivity in cotton and garments combined with Free Trade Agreements (FTA) has resulted in Indian garments becoming uncompetitive to competitors like Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia. A ‘White Paper’ conducting SWOT analysis of textile sector in the country will be prepared at the end of the event, which will also act as an input to modify the Textile Policy of the country.
Till the ecosystem for garment exports is set up, efforts to increase the exports of fabric will continue. Major export houses from Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and other major hubs will also participate to promote the sales of fabrics. “Of late Gujarat has witnessed tremendous growth in the capacity in the production of fabrics. We have invited buyers from the country and outside to give a boost to the sales,” said Gaurang Bhagat, president of Maskati Kapad Market Mahajan.
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