iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
The first-ever Global Textile Trade Fair organized by the Surat-based Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry has received a Congressional commendation from the US Congressman Danny K Davis’ Multi-Ethnic Task Force, as the manufacturers eye the US market for man-made fiber (MMF) in the coming years.
The commendation was handed over to Ashish D Gujarati, the SGCCI president by Dr Vijay G Prabhakar, the founder chair of Davis’ task force.
The United States is dependent on China, the largest manufacturer of MMF textile in the world. India though number two in production has a minuscule presence in the US market, but now the Surat-based manufacturers are looking to change the scenario.
The first leg of the trade fair was held at the GAS South Convention Center, Duluth, Georgia from June 9 to 11. The fair will next travel to New Jersey on June 16 and conclude at Norwalk, California on June 19.
Over 50 exhibitors are participating in the fair.
Surat produces around 60 percent of India’s MMF produce, but a very share of it goes to the import-dependent US, where the market is controlled by China, around 58 percent.
The United States spends annually $112 billion for apparel, clothing, and home textiles.
“The Indian manufacturers have not really explored the US market, which is heavily dependent on China. In recent times, the Surat textile mills have upgraded the technology for producing MMF and are counted among the best in the world,” said Gujarati.
Of its total production, India’s export of MMF-based apparel is only 10 percent, amounting to the US $ 1.6 billion, while the world market is around US $200 billion. This is the situation when India is already acknowledged as the largest producer of polyester yarn and is producing almost all kinds of synthetic fiber whether polyester, viscose nylon or acrylic.
MMF and technical textile were included in the 10 sectors identified by the Government of India for enhancing production and exports with production-linked incentives, under a package of Rs. 10,683 crores over a period of five years in 2021-22 fiscal.
