The apparel export industry is poised to grow in 2017 with the initiatives announced by the government along with the good quality products aided by innovative design prowess will drive the change for the industry. Ashok Rajani, Chairman AEPC said in the evening of the award for excellence in global exports for apparel sector.

The growth will also help in meeting the target of Rs. 6000 crore and create 1 crore jobs set up by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in a special package for the Apparel Export Industry.

Rajani said that the Prime Minister has given a wonderful package to the textile industry in June 2016, due to which they will not only achieve the 30 billion mark in next three years for apparel exports but have the potential of exceeding the expectation. As they have an immense pool of talent in the country and this is an industry that can harness this resource maximum utilization.

He called upon the winners, to be mentors to the start ups and SMEs in this sector and together strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem as there is an ambitious target for export and job creation in the next three years.

Highlighting the achievements of the industry during 2015-16, Chairman AEPC, Ashok Rajani said that in 2015-16 the share of textiles and apparels in total exports increased to 15 percent from 13 percent in 2013-14. They have expanded capacity with seven new Common Effluent Treatment Plants with Zero Liquid Discharge technology in last two years covering 3000 SME units. Also eight apparel and garment making centres were set up in all NER (North- Eastern) States and Sikkim for promoting garment manufacturing in NER (North-East).

Apparel Export Industry is highly employment intensive, more than 5.3 lakh persons trained in last two years under Integrated Skill Development Scheme out of which 81 percent have been placed including 79 percent of the trained women, providing big help to the employment seekers in country.

AEPC honoured the Apparel exporters for their invaluable contribution in Indian readymade garment exports, by presenting the AEPC Export Awards, 2015-2016 at New Delhi.

Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister of Textile presented the awards comprising twenty one categories. The award categories have been diversified into further segmentation to encourage the SME sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Smriti Irani encouraged AEPC and garment exporters to be a partner in the Governments efforts towards job creation through value driven manufacturing and exports. She also said that there should an award for the best player in emerging market in the next award season to promote exports. Industry should also head towards sustainable garments from an international perspective; and should look for innovation either in marketing or technology.

Minister of State of Textiles, Ajay Tamta; and Chairman AEPC, Ashok Rajani; along with the other executive members and government officials from various ministries were also present at the event to showcase commitment towards strengthening India's apparel export industry.

AEPC has organized over 40 events in India and overseas including seminars, workshops and trade fairs & BSM. Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC) has trained over 250 thousand workmen, mainly women and have empowered them to not only improve their lives but the lives of those around them.