Session organised on "Beginning of a New Era in Madhya Pradesh: Opportunities for Textiles and Apparel"

Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Smt. Neelam Shami Rao apprised about the facilities and important schemes being provided by the Government of India for investment in the textile sector. She said that this is an industry which is established since the Indus Valley Civilization. India is the world leader in the textile industry since ancient times. Madhya Pradesh has a strong network of micro and small industries, making it most favorable for the textile industry. She said that the policies of the Government of India are focused on micro and small industries. Emphasising on Prime Minister Shri Modi's "5-F Vision" Farm, Fiber, Factory, Fashion and Foreign, she said that all the elements of the product value chain are present in the country. She informed that to promote textile industries, the Central Government is setting up 7 PM Mitra Parks in different states of the country. The country's largest PM Mitra Park is being set up in Dhar district of the state. This will create more than one lakh direct employment and more than 2 lakh indirect employment opportunities. The state has done a good job in setting up micro and small industries. Secretary, Smt. Rao was addressing the session organised on textile and apparel on the second day of the Global Investors Summit.

Secretary, Textile Ministry, Smt. Rao said that the Government of India is running PLI Scheme, National Textile Mission, PM Mitra Yojana and Samarth Yojana to promote the textile sector. National Handloom Mission is also being run to develop handloom and handicraft industries. The Government of India is also providing all facilities to the start-ups of textile industries. She has expressed confidence that Madhya Pradesh will lead the country in the field of textile industries with the implementation of its better policies and schemes.

Principal Secretary Revenue Department Shri Vivek Porwal said that out of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's 3-T technology, textile and tourism, Madhya Pradesh has immense possibilities in the field of textile. This sector has the potential to create maximum employment. In the new textile policy launched by Madhya Pradesh, provisions have been made for return of incentives, subsidy, additional incentives for training, FDI for investors. Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country where the return of investment in textile sector is the highest. Apart from this, additional incentives are also given for training and skill development. Madhya Pradesh has the maximum availability of land for textile industries. The manpower here is hardworking and disciplined.

Principal Secretary Shri Porwal said that Madhya Pradesh is one of the most peaceful states in the country. The incidents of industrial unrest here are the least. There is adequate availability of water and electricity for industries in the state. All types of permissions for setting up new industries are provided in a very short time through single window system. He said that being located in the middle of the country, it is easily accessible here. All these features of the state make Madhya Pradesh an important place for investment in the textile sector.

CEO OBT Private Limited Shri Ingo Soyler said that it is a leading company for making technical non-woven fabric. He said that technical fabric has many uses in the current textile industry and it is a rapidly growing industry. He said that OBT Company is setting up an industry in Bhopal by investing more than Rs 100 crore, whose bhoomi pujan ceremony was done by Chief Minister Dr. Yadav. He said that his company has benefited from the incentives and subsidies provided by the textile policy. Shri Soyler also informed about his future plans.

Arvind Group's Group Head Corporate Affairs Dr. Param Shah said that Arvind Company is going to invest more than Rs 800 crore in Madhya Pradesh in the technical textile industry. He said that while realising the dream of Make in India Mission, his company will also create employment opportunities.

CEO of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retails, Shri R Swaminathan informed that the market for Indian apparel is also growing rapidly in India. He said that Madhya Pradesh is one of the important states in fabric manufacturing. Emphasising on digital trade, he said that Madhya Pradesh has immense possibilities in the e-commerce sector. There are also immense possibilities for research in the textile industry.

Addressing the session, Secretary General of APEC, Shri Mithleshwar Thakur said that the textile sector will have a special contribution in fulfilling the mission of Developed India @ 2047. India should increase the export of textile industry. Collective efforts should be made in all sectors including e-commerce to enhance the textile industry from 150 billion dollars to 350 billion dollars.

Director Shekhani Group of Companies, Shri Rinish Shekhani highlighted the importance of fast fashion and fast fashion brands. He said that the efforts being made by Madhya Pradesh to promote the textile sector are commendable. The Madhya Pradesh Textile Policy includes all aspects from fabric to products required for textile manufacturing.

NIFT Director Shri Sameer Sood said that India has emphasised on sustainable growth in the textile industry. He said that with initiatives like "Bharat Tex" the textile industry of the country is developing inclusively. He said that we should adopt such policies which reduce environmental damage. Madhya Pradesh is one of the cleanest states in the country. There are more possibilities of textile recycling here.