Textiles Minister Inaugurates 53rd India International Garment Fair

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Textiles Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar today here inaugurated the 53rd India International Garment Fair. Speaking during the inauguration, Shri Gangwar said that India has a significant advantage of a young population offering huge potential for a demographic dividend. “The apparel sector, being the highest employment provider after agriculture, especially for women and the other weaker section of society, has a much bigger role and responsibility to play.”

Expressing happiness over the inauguration of the biggest garment fair in South Asia, Shri Gangwar said “this fair will provide the much-needed opportunity to source garment from India. The whole world is looking at us with hope. This sector, which yields rich dividend in terms of forex earnings by exports and highest employment potential, has received attention at the highest level.” Shri Gangwar also informed the audience that the Hon’ble Prime Minister has reviewed the performance of the sector and “attaches high importance to it”.

Secretary Textiles Smt. Zohra Chatterji in her address said that due to the initiatives taken by the Textiles Minister, “the Budget saw an increase in the duty free entitlement for import of trimmings, embellishments and other specified items from three percent to five percent of the value of their exports for apparel sector.”

Shri Virender Uppal, Chairman AEPC during the inauguration stated that, “the 53rd IIGF has attracted 416 buyers, which are divided almost 50:50 between the traditional and non- traditional market. This is an indication that the buyers from the non-traditional markets have started showing faith and see India to be a safe and compliant destination for sourcing garments. Exploring and engaging with the non-traditional market is the need of the hour, because most of them are emerging economies and are willing to source their requirements from India. Our strategy is to synergize the complementarities and harmonize our expertise and resources for optimal results. However, in no way we would undermine the traditional markets as they constitute the major share of our export basket”.

Buyers from across the globe including Brazil, UK, USA, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Poland, Japan, UAE, Australia, Hong Kong, UK, Spain, Australia, etc. are visiting in the fair. The big buyers includes One Jeanswear Group from USA, Grupo Hotelshops, Mexico, Alpelo Conf. E.com Ltd from Brazil, OSP Group (Red Cat) from USA, Cape Union Mart from South Africa, PJSC Melon Fashion Group from Russia, The Original Factory Shop from UK, Cortefiel from Spain, Lulu International from UAE, etc. 416 numbers of buyers from 59 counties have confirmed their visit to the fair.

This event also has exhibitors from across the length and breadth of India, including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bangalore, Orissa and Punjab.

To showcase the range of design and emerging fashion trends fashion shows shall be held twice a day during all the three day fair. The Best Display Award Function would also be held on 15th July, 2014 where three Trophies – Gold, Silver and Bronze and six Certificates of merit would be given to the best displayed stalls during the fair.

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DS