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This story is from June 16, 2017

Union Textile Minister urges Kerala handloom and textile sector to avail central benefits

Union Textile Minister urges Kerala handloom and textile sector to avail central benefits
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tagged on the theme `from Farm to Fiber and Fabric to Fashion’, Textiles India 2017, a first ever International Expo and Mega event to showcase India’s strength in the Textile and Apparel Value Chain will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 30, informed Union minister of State for Textiles, Ajay Tamta here on Friday.
The three-day mega event will begin at Mahatma Mandir at Gandhinagar in Gujarat with international conferences and cultural show.
It will have 24 Round table seminars with the participation of global and national leaders of industry, technical experts and senior policy makers from the Union and State Governments, said Union Minister Ajay Tamta. The event will also have an international exhibition at Helipad ground in Gujarat with the participation of almost all states across the country and over 2500 international buyers from 61 countries, he said.
When asked about the Union Ministry’s support for crisis-ridden traditional handloom and handicraft industry of Kerala, Minister Ajay Tamta told TOI that as many as five MOUs had been signed with handloom sector industries of states including Kerala for enhanced production and marketing facilities.
“Textiles Ministry funded the setting up of Common facility Centre equipped with testing facility for raw materials and finished products in Kerala. Even support is offered for online facility for product promotion with subsidised loans from banks,” Minister Ajay Tamta said.
Further he said, handloom production is enhanced with power looms and for that 50 percent subsidy is offered for general category applicants, 90 percent subsidy for ST and 75 percent subsidy for SC applicants. In addition, 10 percent subsidy is offered in procurement of yarn and solar powered looms are promoted, the Minister said. The Union government has supported the Textile Ministry by setting aside Rs 6000 crore to develop textile sector and to host this expo, he said.

“Many creative talents from the handloom and textile sector in Kerala are yet to come forward to avail the supportive schemes of the Union Ministry. Among the States, Kerala is also participating at the international expo from June 30 in Gujarat to showcase its traditional handloom and value-added products,” the Minister said.
The mega expo is aimed at improving textile market and to enhance the exports of the country. It will be held in Helipad ground in about 1, 25,000 square metres area spread across 13 Halls. Over 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services which will have the participation of 11 export promotion councils, 17,000 domestic buyers and over 2500 international buyers from more than 60 countries including USA, UK, Germany and France, Union Textile Ministry officials said.
Expo will have thematic display of textile and apparel, handicrafts, handloom, jute, pavilion for Start-up’s, Skills, R&D Sustainability, best display and design, Fashion Show’s, B2B and B2G Meetings, four Country Sessions, six State Sessions and Seminars on ASEAN India and Common Wealth. Interactive conferences will be chaired by seven union ministers on various themes including India as global sourcing and investment destination, productivity challenge for natural fibres, exploring textiles growth potential and skilling needs in high value chain of textile sector. The valedictory session will be addressed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
“Textiles business based on its utility value is 10 times stronger than steel industry. Geotextiles finds its application in roads and construction industry as it offers strength and durability, due to its light weight and durability it finds application in aircraft manufacturing and defence industry,” the officials said.
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