(a) whether the Government has rganized a big textile exhibition in Maharashtra during the last four years, if so, the details thereof along with the number of countries participated in this exhibition and theme of this exhibition;
(b) the number of memorandum of understanding signed by global manufactures during his exhibition; and
(c) the other steps taken by the Government to provide platform to make India global service centre connecting global manufactures and for co-operating with them?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI AJAY TAMTA)
(a) & (b) The Government of India has organized ‘Make in India week’ in Mumbai on Feb, 13-18, 2016. During the event, Ministry of Textiles organized exhibition and seminar on ‘India Textiles & Apparel Industry’ showcasing India’s strength across the value chain of Textiles sector. Further, an Annual Event TECHNOTEX comprising of an international exhibition, conference and buyers seller meets has been organized by the Ministry in association with FICCI every year from 2015 to 2018, to promote Technical Textiles sector in India.
(c) In order to provide platform to make India global service centre, Government has taken a large number of initiatives/measures. Some of the major policy measures and schemes implemented by the Government are given below:-
i. Textile India 2017: The Ministry of Textiles organized a 3 day mega textile exhibition namely, Textiles India 2017 from 30th June to 2nd July 2017 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Principal objective of organizing the said mega event was to bring all segments of the Textiles sector under one umbrella trade event and showcase the strength of the Indian Textiles sector to the world. This event witnessed participation of buyers from 105 countries, international delegates and representatives and artisans and weavers.
ii. Special Package for Textile and Apparel sector: Rs 6000 crores package was launched in June 2016 to boost employment and export potential in the apparel and made up segments. This package consists of Remission of State Levies for garmenting and made-ups; additional production and employment linked subsidy of 10% under ATUFS for garmenting; assistance for the entire 12% employers’ contribution towards EPF; fixed term employment in garmenting, increasing overtime caps; and income tax concessions under section 80JJAA for the garmenting sector.
iii. Enhanced Customs Duty to boost domestic manufacturing: To boost indigenous production and Make in India, Government has increased Basic Customs Duty from 10% to 20% on 501 textile products.
iv. National Handloom Development Programme and National Handicrafts Development Programme: These programmes aim at holistic development of handloom and handicrafts clusters through integrated approach. The Government organized National/International and State level Handloom/Handicrafts Expo/ marketing events/Fair and attracted domestic as well as international buyers and provided business opportunities to a large number of exhibitors.
v. Amended Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS): The amended Scheme was launched in January 2016 with an outlay of Rs 17822 Crores for technology upgradation of textiles industry with one time capital subsidy for eligible machinery. The following are the objectives under A-TUFS:
• To promote ease of doing business in the country and achieve the vision of generating employment and promoting exports through “Make in India” with “Zero effect and Zero defect” in manufacturing.
• To facilitate augmenting of investment, productivity, quality, employment, exports along with import substitution in the textile industry. It will also indirectly promote investment in textile machinery (having benchmarked technology) manufacturing.
The scheme has been designed to mobilize new investment of about Rs 95000 cr and employment for 35 lakh persons by the year 2022.
vi. ‘India Handloom Brand’ Scheme has been launched by the Government in 2015 to enhance the quality in weaving, designing and defect free handloom products for safeguarding the interest of the buyers in the domestic and international markets. It will promote production of niche handloom products with high quality, authentic traditional designs with zero defect and zero effect on environment.
vii. Silk Samagra: Government of India has been implementing a Central Sector Scheme “Silk Samagra” for development of sericulture in the country with components such as Research & Development, Training, Transfer of Technology and I.T Initiatives, support to seed organisations, coordination and market development and, quality certification Systems (QCS)/ Export Brand Promotion and Technology Upgradation. R&D efforts have also been initiated to evolve new products by blending silk with other fibres such as wool, coir, cotton etc., which have demand in international markets.
viii. The Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) work in close co-operation with various organizations of the Government to promote the growth and export of their respective sectors viz. Readymade garments, cotton, silk, jute, powerloom, handloom, handicrafts and carpets, in global markets. EPCs participate and organize fairs and exhibitions and standalone shows in India & overseas markets to enhance exports and access new markets.
ix. Enhancement of rates under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS): To further boost exports of apparel & made-up sectors, interest rates under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) has been enhanced from 2% to 4% fro apparel, 5% to 7% for made-ups, handloom and handicrafts w.e.f. Ist November, 2017.
x. Interest rate subvention: Credit interest rate subvention for pre and post shipment was restored in 2015 for three years. The Government has enhanced interest equalization rate for pre and post shipment credit for the textile sector from 3% to 5 % w.e.f. 02.11.2018.
xi. Market Access Initiative (MAI): The objective of scheme is to promote India’s exports on a sustained basis. The scheme is formulated on product-focus country approach to evolve specific market and specific product through market studies/survey.The following activities are eligible for financial assistance under the scheme:
o Marketing Projects Abroad
o Capacity Building
o Support for Statutory Compliances
o Studies
o Project Development
o Developing Foreign Trade Facilitation web Portal
o To support Cottage and handicrafts units
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