The Government plans to spend Rs.20 crore in apparel manufacturing centre which will be a single storey building set up on 1.50 acres land and generate employment for about 1,200 people per centre. Such modern apparel manufacturing centre would be set in each of the eight north-eastern States – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

SK Panda, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles speaking at the inauguration of India’s 61st National Garment Fair the largest ever apparel trade show organized by the Clothing Manufacturers’ Association of India (CMAI) in Mumbai said that the new textile policy outlaying long-term growth of the industry is almost ready and would be announced next month.

In consultation with the textile ministry, the Association has decided to open one training centre in each of the eight north-eastern states. The Textile Ministry plans to impart training to 15 lakh people over next two years in apparel making under their skill development program.

Rahul Mehta, President, CMAI and Chairman of International Apparel Federation at the inauguration function urged the government to expedite free trade agreement with the European Union. In view of the rising labour cost and infrastructure issues in the competing countries such as China and Bangladesh along with improved US economy, the prospect of growth in export sector looks brighter for India in the international market.

The overall textile export last fiscal was up 12 percent at $16.8 billion, with the early signing of FTA it would help India double its exports to European Union and achieve the target of $18 billion set for this fiscal.

The economic growth and good monsoon ahead is expected to boost domestic garment industry.