(a) whether the Apparel and Handloom Exports Association have demanded the setting up of a new Export Promotion Council to acquire overseas marketing expertise in view of the imminent end of the quota system in 2005;
(b) whether the Apparel Export Promotion Council has mainly been concentrating on quota administration neglecting thereby the export promotion functions; and
(c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto and steps taken or proposed to be taken to make the council broad based ?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI V. DHANANJAY KUMAR)
(a) to (c): Besides the administration of export entitlement in respect of readymade garment items, which are subject to restraint in USA, European Union and Canada, the Apparel Export Promotion Council has been undertaking export promotion events like participation in overseas exhibitions/fairs, organising buyer-seller meets (BSMs) abroad, sponsoring trade delegations with a view to consolidating existing markets and exploring new markets.
There is presently no proposal to set up any new Export Promotion Council in the clothing sector.