The Minister of State for Textiles (independent charge), Santosh Gangwar, after inaugurating the India International Garment Fair (IIGF) organized by the Apparel Export Promotion Council on Wednesday said that the draft policy of the long awaited new textile policy is ready and discussions are on. They hope to place it before the Union Cabinet in a month’s time.

The government had initially planned to ready the new textile policy after the announcement of the Union Budget last year, but it got stuck as discussions with other ministries, including Finance and Labour, over financial incentives and relaxation in regulations were delayed.

The new textile policy that aims to create 35 million jobs and boost exports to over $300 billion over the next decade is likely to be announced within the next few months,

Gangwar further added saying that the textile industry would greatly benefit from the recently announced ‘Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme,’ under which apparel, garment and technical textiles will get 15 percent subsidy on capital investment, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 30 crore over a period of five years.

Textile Secretary Rashmi Verma said that the process of settlement of dues related to the old cases has started.

She also said that the Garment exports posted a 5 percent growth in December 2015 to $1.44 billion even as overall exports dipped 14.75 percent. In the April-December 2015-16 period, exports of ready made garments increased 2.8 per cent to $12.47 billion.

The IIGF attracted 809 buyers from across the globe, 350 buying agents and 200 visiting buyers. There are 322 participants.