Monday, 9 September 2013 00:05
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India International Fabric Expo ‘13 kicks-off in Colombo
22 exhibitors from India’s schiffli hub alone
Lanka textile exports to India jumps beyond 40%
The first ever textile agreement between India and Sri Lanka will be inked today (9 September) in Colombo. The Memorandum of Understanding on new textile cooperation effort is the latest development in the aftermath of Indian announcement in September 2012 that Sri Lanka can export eight million apparel pieces at zero duty to India.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the new Indo-Lanka textile cooperation will be co-signed by Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Anura Siriwardena and Secretary of Indian Ministry of Textiles Zohra Chaterji in Colombo.
Indian Textile Secretary Chaterji is currently in Colombo leading the textile delegation of three (and several other support staff) to discuss Indo-Lanka textile cooperation as well as to take part in the India International Fabric Expo ‘13 held at Galadari Hotel, Colombo. Chaterji arrived in Sri Lanka on 7 September.
The three member delegation also consists of Jt Secy-Ministry of Textiles Sunaina Tomar and Director, Ministry of Textiles Geeta Narayan. Tomar is in charge of the Indian Textile Upgradation Fund Scheme, Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks and Indian power-looms, among others. Narayan is in charge of the Indian Textile Upgradation Fund Scheme and also the power-loom sector.
More than 50 Indian textile industry and garment players are taking part in the India International Fabric Expo ‘13 held at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo that concludes on 10 September. Twenty two of the exhibitor firms are from Gujarat’s Surat, the biggest man made polyester yarn hub of India.
“We are very excited to participate in Sri Lanka’s fair” said Tanmay Agarwal of Anamika Sarees Ltd. from Surat. “Sri Lanka now needs to see what Surat can offer” he added. Agarwal’s Anamika Sarees Ltd. is a maker of well-known glittering high-end schiffly lace / schiffly embroidery sarees. Schiffly lace consists of intricate weavings made using schiffli embroidery machines.
According to the Department of Commerce, total Indo-Lanka trade in 2012 stood at $ 4.086 billion. During January - June of 2013, exports from Sri Lanka to India stood at $ 279.17 million, while imports from India at $ 1465.65 million, showing a declining trend in imports from India. Sri Lankan textile and apparel exports to India last year, on average, rose above 40% levels compared to 2011 values.
As for Sri Lanka’s part, the successful MoU is a result of a continuous discussions and tripartite efforts between Sri Lanka’s local textile players and the industry, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Treasury.
