New Delhi, Feb 26 (Representative) The government is working at multiple levels to further increase the contribution of the textile sector in building a developed India while keeping its focus on tradition, technology, talent and training, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. Inaugurating the global textile event Bharat Tex 2024 at Bharat Mandapam here, Modi said that a people’s movement is going on in the country for ‘Vocal for Local and Local to Global’.The Prime Minister elaborated on the wide ambit in which the government is working to expand the role of the textiles sector in the journey of Viksit Bharat. “We are focussing on tradition, technology, talent and training”, he said. The PM pointed out that the emphasis is on updating traditional designs to the demands of the contemporary world. Modi reiterated the concept of Five Fs – Farm to Fiber, Fiber to Factory, Factory to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign which is binding all elements of the value chain to a single whole.In order to help the MSME sector, the Prime Minister mentioned the change in the definition of MSME to ensure continued benefits even after growth in size. He also talked about direct sales, exhibitions and online portals that have reduced the distance between the artisans and the market.
Talking about plans to create seven PM MITRA Parks, Modi said that the government is striving to establish the entire value chain ecosystem in a single place where modern infrastructure with plug and play facilities are made available.Referring to the employment potential and participation of the rural population and women in textiles sectors, the Prime Minister said that 7 out of 10 apparel makers are women and in handloom, the number is even higher. He emphasized that the steps taken in the last 10 years have made Khadi a strong medium of development and jobs. “Similarly, welfare schemes and infrastructure push of the last decade have also benefited the textile sector,” he said. Talking about India’s growing profile as a cotton, jute and silk producer, Modi said that the government is supporting cotton farmers and is buying cotton from them. He said Kasturi Cotton, launched by the government, will be a big step in creating India’s brand value globally. The Prime Minister mentioned measures for the Jute and silk sector also.
He also talked of new sectors like technical textiles and informed about the National Technical Textiles Mission and scope for the startups in the area. Modi highlighted the need for technology and mechanization on one hand and uniqueness and authenticity on the other and said that India has a place where both these demands can co-exist. In his inaugural address at Bharat Tex 2024, the PM underlined that the government is readily available to function as a catalyst and work towards fulfilling the dreams of the people. He urged the industries to come forward with a new vision that caters to the world’s needs and diversifies their markets. Organized by a consortium of 11 textile export promotion councils and supported by the government, Bharat Tex 2024 is set to witness participation of over 3,500 exhibitors.With more than 50 announcements and MoUs expected to be signed during the event, Bharat Tex 2024 is envisaged to provide further impetus to investment and trade in the textile sector and help push up exports.