To enhance the domestic as well as global competitiveness of the textile industry, the Rajasthan government would unveil a textiles policy by March 2013, state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said while talking to media after opening the textiles fair ‘Vastra 2012’.
The policy would focus on manufacturing, developing skills and enhancing exports of the textile sector of the state, Rajasthan Minister for Industries Rajendra Pareek said. Sunil Arora, Principal Secretary in the Rajasthan Government said the state presently lacks a separate policy for textile industry, and a specific policy is needed to promote the industry. The state government is emphasizing on developing the textile industry, which each year exports goods worth Rs.35 billion and provides employment to several people.
The State Department of Industries has formulated a draft policy, which would soon be forwarded to the concerned departments to invite their comments. The Chief Secretary would then further the same to the state Cabinet for its approval, after organizing a couple of meetings with some of the stakeholders, Mr. Arora said.
About the global textiles event ‘Vastra 2012’ organized in the city of Jaipur, Mr. Gehlot said in the wake of slowing demand in local as well as foreign markets, they are trying to further bolster and upgrade the domestic textile industry through such fairs. The business-to-business exhibition is aimed at furthering upcoming entrepreneurs with market access and networking facilities and upgrading them on present-day technologies and drawing more investment in the sector.
The fair would be organized on an annual basis by the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), he added. More than 175 exhibitors showcased a wide range of textile and apparel products at the fair.
