Largest-ever textile delegation arrives

The biggest-ever textile industry delegation from India arrived yesterday, the Industry and Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

The high-level textile delegation is here to strengthen the promising textile trade between the two countries and incorporates both high ranking Government officials and reps from private sector.

“We warmly welcome the high-level textile delegation which is here in the aftermath of Minister Anand Sharma’s well known recent visit to Colombo to boost bilateral cooperation. The latest visit is an important event for our apparel sector and Minister Sharma has decided to include four high ranking Secretaries under him showing the seriousness of Indian textile sector,” Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was quoted as saying in the release.

In 2011, Sri Lanka exported $ 50 million of garments, woven fabrics and other textiles to India. Lanka’s garment exports to India alone were $ 25.56 m in 2011 and garments were Sri Lanka’s fifth export item to India. The subcontinent is ranked at 14th as for the international marketwise distribution destination for our 2011 garment exports, which totalled $ 3986 million last year across 40 countries.

Among the high ranking Indian textile officials are  Kiran Dhingra (Secretary, Ministry of Textiles),  V. Srinivas (Joint Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Textiles), Sunaina Tomar (Joint Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Textiles), and  J.P. Dutt (Under Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Textiles).

Among the top apparel exporters coming are Lalit Gulati (Modelama Exports Ltd., India’s leading manufacturer and exporter of readymade garments), Sudhir Sekri (Chairman, Export Promotion – AEPC and diversified group Trendsetters Ltd.), apparel exporter and founder of Yo! China Ltd.), and Virendra Uppal (Chairman AEPC and $ 84 m turnover Richa Group).

Other Indian private sector apparel producers and entities in the delegation are Mafatlala Denim Ltd., Texprocil, Sri Gomathy Mills Pvt Ltd., AEPC, Cotton Textiles Export Council (TEXPROCIL), and Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council.

The delegation is scheduled to return to India on 21 September.