Piyush Goyal Applauds Textile Industry's Enthusiasm in Establishing and Expanding Businesses in PM MITRA Parks

Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce and Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, has lauded the industry for its enthusiasm in establishing and expanding businesses in the upcoming Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks.

In a recent industry interaction held in New Delhi under the theme of "Investment Opportunities in the Textiles Industry under PM MITRA Scheme," the Minister urged the industry to collaborate and engage in research and development (R&D) and innovation to achieve significant progress in the sector.

Goyal commended the exemplary initiatives undertaken by the state governments of Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh in creating a conducive ecosystem for textile manufacturing. He encouraged the industry to take advantage of the attractive schemes offered by the Ministry of Textiles, including the National Technical Textiles Mission and the Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector (Samarth).

Recognizing the need for support and guidance for investors interested in establishing or expanding their manufacturing base, the Minister proposed the establishment of a dedicated Invest India desk within the Ministry of Textiles. This desk would assist and mentor investors seeking to meet the growing global demand in the sector. As part of the event, Piyush Goyal unveiled the PM MITRA Brochure prepared by the Textile Team of Invest India.

During the event, discussions were held between Rachna Shah, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, senior officials from the Ministry, and representatives from the seven shortlisted states under the PM MITRA scheme. The first session, chaired by Secretary Rachna Shah, allowed senior government officials from each selected state to highlight their respective strengths in the textile sector, with a particular focus on infrastructure, connectivity, scheme benefits, incentives, and industry-friendly initiatives to attract investments in the upcoming PM MITRA parks.

This session was followed by an exclusive industry interaction chaired by Piyush Goyal, featuring senior leaders from over 80 prominent textile companies, infrastructure developers, banks, and international organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The discussions centered around sustainability, the establishment of R&D centers, ensuring compliance with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, and the production of value-added products within the upcoming PM MITRA parks.

The Minister stressed the importance of phased development in these parks to optimize resource utilization and enhance integration within the textile value chain. Two five-member Action Teams were proposed to study ESG norms and develop a model park design in line with global best practices for the upcoming units in the PM MITRA parks. The session provided a unique platform for the Ministry of Textiles, the Government of India, and the seven selected state governments to collaborate with the industry, deliberating on various aspects of the PM MITRA scheme and charting a future roadmap for its success.

The PM MITRA scheme, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 5F vision (Farm to fibre; fibre to factory; factory to fashion; fashion to foreign), aims to build a self-reliant India and strengthen its position in the global textiles market. Announced in the Union Budget for 2021-22, the scheme involves the establishment of seven PM MITRA Parks, which will create an integrated textiles value chain encompassing spinning, weaving, processing/dyeing, printing, and garment manufacturing at a single location. This consolidation will reduce logistics costs for the industry.

Each park, spanning over 1,000 acres, is projected to generate approximately 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect employment opportunities, with proposed investments totaling around Rs 70,000 crores. The parks will be strategically located in areas with inherent strengths in the textile industry and necessary linkages for success.