During her inaugural speech, the Minister stated that the apparel and textile industry is a priority due to the enormous potential for job creation and foreign exchange earning, and that the Union Government is fully committed to establishing a modern, dynamic, integrated, and world-class textile sector under the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
She went on to say that India's annual textile and apparel exports stood at US$ 44.4 billion in FY 2022, up 41% from the previous year, and that India is the world's second largest textile and clothing exporter. She urged apparel manufacturers and exporters to focus on innovation and quality while keeping up with the latest fashion trends, and she assured them of the government's full support for the industry's development and expansion.
Lalit Thukral, Chairman, International Garment Fair Association (IGFA) and President, Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC), thanked the Minister for sparing her valuable time to inaugurate the fair, which will motivate apparel exporters, in his welcome speech.
Thukral expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the apparel industry, stating that the much-anticipated Production Linked Incentive Scheme, Textile Park, and other export-friendly schemes of the Government of India will boost apparel manufacturing and export.
He also praised UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision of making the state an apparel and textile hub, for which not only textile/export friendly policies/schemes have been developed, but also a conducive industrial environment has been created in the state with improved law and order.
According to Thukral, each edition of the IIGF attracts around US$ 200 million in export business from India, and this time we expect around US$ 350 million, and this trend is expected to continue. Thukral also informed the audience that Noida is an important apparel hub, with an annual apparel export of around Rs. 40,000 crores, which is expected to increase to Rs. 60,000 crores in the coming years. He also welcomed and thanked all participants, visiting overseas buyers, fair sourcing consultants, and media representatives.
The International Garment Fair Association is organising the 68th IIGF, which will take place from February 7 to 9, 2020, and will feature around 250 exhibitors showcasing their products for the Autumn/Winter 2023-24 season, as well as over 1000 buyers from around the world and 800 sourcing consultants.
