Trade Agreements Signed with Australia and UAE will Open Infinite Opportunities for Indian Textiles, says Commerce Minister

· Textile Industry has the potential to achieve USD 100 billion in exports by 2030

· Trade deals to boost exports by labor-intensive industries

· Minister optimistic that UK, EU, Canada and GCC countries will allow zero-duty imports of Indian textiles

· Piyush Goyal calls upon Indian cotton cultivators to adopt new technologies and global best farm practices

· We must build the capacity of our cultivators and make them agri-scientists

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal on 12 April 2022 said that new Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreements with Australia and UAE would open infinite opportunities for Textiles, Handloom, Footwear etc. He said that Indian textile exports to to Australia and UAE would now face zero duty and expressed confidence that soon Europe, Canada, UK and GCC countries would also welcome Indian textile exports at zero duty.

Mr. Goyal was delivering the Keynote address at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the 'Confederation of Indian Textile Industry- Cotton Development and Research Association' (CITI- CDRA) in New Delhi on 12 April 2022. The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu was the chief guest at the celebration.

The Minister mentioned that Trade Agreements would help in increasing exports from labor intensive industries. He added that India must also be open to receiving new technology, rare minerals, raw materials which are in short supply in India etc. from the world at reasonable costs. This will only increase our production, productivity and quality, which in turn will increase demand for our products all over the world, he said.

Mr. Goyal also said that Indian textile Industry has the potential to achieve USD 100 billion dollars in exports by 2030.

Referring to the theme of the event,'Kapas ki Adhik Upaj,Shudh Upaj', Mr. Goyal said that the theme perfectly converged with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bid to boost farm production, productivity and raise farm incomes.

He applauded CITI-CDRA for working towards developing a robust cotton ecosystem by directly engaging about 90,000 cotton farmers.

The Minister observed that more than just a fiber, Cotton has been an integral part of Indian culture, lifestyle and tradition.

Reminiscing the monopoly enjoyed by India on manufacturing of various cotton textiles for about 3,000 years, the Minister said that the entire world sang praises of the superiority of Indian fabrics. By mid-17th century, Indian Calico and Chintz were super hits in Europe, he added.

The Minister also spoke of the Khadi 'Charkha' (spinning wheel) of Gandhiji which became a symbol of Swadeshi and resistance against British.

Speaking of the need to achieve atmanirbharta in the textiles sector, Mr.Goyal said that our textiles must become a symbol of Quality, Reliability and Innovation.

Pointing out that the world today was looking for alternative manufacturing sourcing hubs owing to geopolitical reasons, the Minister said that Indian Textile Industry is in a very sweet spot to grab this opportunity and hit 'Mauke pe Chauka'.

It may be noted that Indian Textile sector accounts for about 10% (approximately USD 43 billion) of India’s total merchandise exports. India is the largest producer of Cotton with 23% of global production, sustaining 65 lakh people directly and indirectly, the Minister said.

Mr. Goyal called upon Indian cultivators to adopt new technologies and global best farm practices. He spoke of the AI technology that is enabling farmers in Australia to control spraying operations, as cotton crop is sensitive to spraying through data-driven decision making.

The Minister commented that modern Australian cotton growers were not just farmers but drone pilots, data analysts and agri-scientists. He said that we must augment the capacity of Indian farmers who are already very talented and capable, to make them experts in allied areas as well.

Listing the various interventions made by government for enhancing the productivity of cotton such as High-Density Planting System (HDPS), Drip Irrigation, rainwater harvesting, inter-cropping etc, the Minister said that we must place greater focus on special varieties of cotton such as the Kasturi cotton.

Mr. Goyal asked textiles and apparel industry to focus on sustainability and farmers to focus on natural methods of farming. He said that we must encourage innovation, Research and Development and asked farmers to work in collaboration with ICAR, Agri-Universities, IARI and Cotton Research Institutes. He also asked research institutions of eminence working in the field of cotton farming and textiles to work with each other to maximize production and productivity.

He called upon the nation to work together to achieve the 5F vision of Hon’ble PM for textiles - Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. The Minister also said that we must aim for global dominance in organic cotton. He urged the nation to be Vocal for Vocal and take Local to Global.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, who said “I see God in every thread that I draw on the spinning wheel. The spinning wheel represents the hope of the masses”, Mr. Goyal assured that the Government would extend its full-fledged support to the Textile and Apparel Industry to bring back the same old dominance of Indian Textiles in the global cotton industry.

He expressed confidence that with a holistic vision and hard work, India would be at the forefront of global textile industry and atmanirbhar in every sphere of cotton Industry.