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Indian delegation in France, Germany to showcase opportunities
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Textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran led a high-level trade delegation to France and Germany from February 1 to 4 to attract foreign investments in the Indian textile and clothing sector.
Accompanying him were AEPC chairman Premal Udani, secretary general Vimal Kirti Singh, executive committee members A. Sakthivel and Harish Ahuja. The tour capped a similar exercise in Switzerland, Italy and Turkey from October 26 to November 3 last year.
The textile ministry's comprehensive investment strategy involves Thiru Maran’s vision to convince large global textiles and clothing brands not only to sell in the Indian domestic market, but also set up manufacturing base for global markets in the country.
The objective of meeting major heads of European textiles companies included showcasing vibrant and dynamic business opportunities offered by the Indian textiles and apparel industry, the domestic market and the manufacturing capabilities available.
"Sustained and consistent efforts are required to drive foreign direct investments to India, leading to greater integration of the Indian textile industry with global textiles manufacturing systems," said Thiru Maran. "The deeper integration, creation of international levels of excellence and global positioning is likely to result in higher efficiencies and profitability."
Such a strategy is critical to protect the Indian industry from competition form purely low cost producers of the world such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and others. The government is committed to such long-term efforts and ultimate success, said the minister.
The Indian delegation included TEXPROCIL chairman V.S. Velayutham, SRTEPC chairman Ganesh Gupta, CITI chairman Shishir Jaipuria, CITI secretary general D.K. Nair, Mr Britto Joseph of the HEPC, Mr Dilip Jiwarajka of Alok Industries, Mr Nitin Kasliwal of SKNL, Mr Neeraj Saluja of the Saluja Group, Mr Prashant Agarwal of BRFL and Mr Senthil Kumar of BKS Textiles.
The France tour started with signing of an MoU among the AEPC, the CITI and Federation Francaise de la Couture for collaboration for branding, education, technology transfer and facilitation of free trade with minimum tariff structure.
From the French side, president of the Federation Francaise de la Couture Didier Grumbach was present. The two sides also promised to respect intellectual property rights while protecting brands. There will be review meetings every six months.
French label LVMH, which already has a manufacturing facility in Pondicherry employing 1,000 workers, said it plans to increase sourcing and manufacturing from India. The AEPC will coordinate identification of probable new sources.
Caisse Des Depots Et Consignations, the state-owned financial institution, has a budget of 50 million euros and plans to encourage companies to invest in India. Texinov was appraised on incentives offered to technical textiles while Hermes group indicated increased sourcing of hand-crafted products in the near future.
Decathlon, with a turnover of 4.3 billion dollars, imports seven per cent of its garment requirements from India. Its CEO for apparel division Eric Dupont said the level must increase to 30 per cent -- or 65 million euros to 200 million euros in the next five years -- and open more stores in the country.
Lectra said it will aim to make India as its south Asia hub. It plans to invest three to four million euros to expand its base by giving free equipment to educational institutes.
Indian officials also met representatives from Assem, Porcher and Thuasne.
In Germany, the delegates met Mr Claus Weber to discuss investments in filter fabrics and technical textiles. HKO is in the process of setting up a sales office in Ahmedabad and planning for investment to manufacture fiber, glass roofing insulation material.
Strenesse said it is looking to start sourcing from India and open two or three stores. Truetzschler indicated expansion into non-wovens and research and development for jute machinery.
Terrot, which exited India three years ago due to high duty on machine components, plans to re-enter the country. Mehler AG and MEP OLBO showed willingness for 30 million dollars worth of investments in India.
Erbatech said it wants to enter the Indian market by manufacturing water-proof membranes and making a German machinery company park in Coimbatore.
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