Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh Announces Expansion of Rs 10,000 Crore PLI Scheme to Boost Garment Sector Manufacturing & Exports

Union Minister for Textiles, Giriraj Singh, inaugurated the 71st edition of the India International Garment Fair (IIGF) at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre on June 25, 2024. In his inaugural address, Singh highlighted the fair as a vital marketing platform for micro, small, and medium exporters, allowing them to display India's latest trends and diverse offerings globally. He emphasized the necessity of developing world-class manufacturing facilities to fulfill the Prime Minister’s vision of “Make in India” with “Zero Effect; Zero Defect” throughout the value chain.

Singh advocated for the adoption of the 'hub and spoke' model to enhance domestic manufacturing, encouraged industry collaboration, and underscored the importance of establishing Indian brands. He also mentioned the ministry's plans to revive the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) to create parks meeting international standards.

“Today, India is one of the fastest-growing economies with a GDP growth rate of 7.2% and is projected to become the third-largest economy by 2027-28,” Singh stated. He attributed this growth to a positive domestic outlook and a growth-oriented political establishment, which have fostered a conducive business ecosystem. The government has implemented several measures to improve infrastructure and ease of doing business, he added.

Singh highlighted the Indian apparel and textiles market, currently valued at $165 billion, with a target to reach $350 billion. He urged the industry to aim for $50 billion by 2030. The Prime Minister’s roadmap for promoting technical fiber and geotextile offers significant growth opportunities.

Singh emphasized the need to surpass China in the textiles sector, noting rising water and raw material costs in Bangladesh. He proposed creating small clusters for smaller players in India to boost ready-made garment (RMG) exports.

To further enhance domestic manufacturing and exports, Singh announced the extension of the Rs 10,000 crore Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to the garment sector. He also stressed the importance of revamping textile parks and promoting green textiles.

Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), acknowledged the global headwinds that have affected Indian apparel exports. However, he commended the industry's resilience in mitigating the impact. Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General of AEPC, noted the potential for Indian apparel exporters to expand their footprint in developed countries and encouraged the industry to seize this opportunity.

Knowledge sessions are being organized on June 25th and 26th, 2024, covering topics such as navigating global trade challenges, driving manufacturing excellence in apparel, and sustainable fashion from concept to reality.

The fair, organized by the AEPC through the International Garment Fair Association (IGFA) in collaboration with three major Indian garment associations—Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), Garment Exporters & Manufacturers Association (GEMA), and Garment Exporters Association of Rajasthan (GEAR)—demonstrates the collective spirit and teamwork within the industry.

Over 600 buyers from 50 countries are participating in the event, which will feature two fashion shows each day from June 25th to 27th, 2024, showcasing the best collections from the fair.