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Textiles Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, inaugurated 69th India International Garment Fair (IIGF)
-      India is pioneering sustainable textiles contributing to lesser carbon footprint: Textiles Minister
-      IIGF provides a direct marketing platform to MSME exporters from across the country: Chairman AEPC
 
New Delhi/ Noida, 26^th June 2023: Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles inaugurated the 69th edition of India International Garment Fair (IIGF) at IEML Noida, today.  Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Member of Parliament, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Noida, Shri Naren Goenka, Chairman AEPC, Shri Sudhir Sekhri, Vice Chairman, AEPC, Dr A Sakthivel, President, FIEO, Shri Lalit Thukral, Chairman, India International Garment Fair (IGFA) along with the large numbers of international buyers and exhibitors were present at the occasion.
 
Inaugurating the 69^th IIGF Textiles Minister Shri Piyush Goyal said, “Through these fairs we will be able to showcase India’s capabilities on the global stage. The textiles exports will grow further and in the time duration of 5-6 years India’s textiles export will touch 100 billion USD.” Minister appealed to the RMG exporters to host the world’s largest apparel show in India which has been never organised anywhere engaging all the major venues in Delhi/ NCR region.
 
Further the Minister complimented the textiles sector and its importance in employment generation. He stressed on the importance of the sector in contributing to India’s growth and development, expecting a modest growth of doubling production and tripling exports in the next five to six years.
 
Shri Goyal emphasized, India is pioneering sustainable textiles contributing to lesser carbon footprint and promoting circular economy. The Minister said that the Indian textile industry has made a mark in the world with its innovative and attractive products during his address.
 
The Textiles Minister stressed the role of government in providing market access; he appraised the trade on the many trade agreements being negotiated and worked out between India and EU, Switzerland, UK, Canada, Israel, LAC countries and the Middle East. Minister noted that Peru has also shown its inclination to sign an FTA with India.
 
Minister opined that the world is looking at India as a nation with huge potential and immense possibilities. He encouraged the sector to boost cluster-based development as it is holistic, cost-effective and sustainable, where logistic cost will be reduced, there will be facilities to promote fashion brands and good packaging facilities. He also hailed Noida as an emerging hub for textiles. Minister thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for making the life of everyone easy be it home, food, shelter, water, electricity, cooking gas, digital literacy, etc. The Minister along with the other dignitaries also unveiled the Fair Guide of 69^th IIGF.
 
Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Member of Parliament from Gautam Buddha Nagar said, he felt privileged and happy to be at the happening place at the India Expo Centre and Mart. He complimented and encouraged the sector to achieve higher goals, given the infrastructural development and progress, especially in terms of improving power availability and the upcoming international airport at Jewar, in close proximity to the exhibition centre. He informed that Noida has 40.000 crore of exports which is 18% of India’s total exports.
 
In the opening remark Shri Naren Goenka, Chairman AEPC said, “IIGF which provides a direct marketing platform to MSME exporters from across the country bringing together approx. 300 exhibitors and more than 2500 overseas buyers and buying agents. It is the biggest platform in Asia under one roof wherein Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) showcase latest garment and fashion accessories trends to the world and begin the order booking process.”          
 
Further Chairman AEPC emphasised, “This great business and networking opportunities seems quite promising considering the fact that the global apparel market which was to the tune of 1.1trillion USD in 2022 and 1.9trillion in 2025 before it closes to 2 trillion in 2026.” India offers to the world a complete value chain solution from farm to fashion giving us a competitive edge by shortened lead times to reach our buyers. Networking events like these would play an instrumental role in bridging the gap and strengthening this bond further, he added.
 
Shri Lalit Thukral, Chairman IGFA informed, “This edition of IIGF has participation from 13 States. In continuation with our efforts to broaden the participation of exporters of Menswear, Kidswear and Knitwear, we have created the special sections for the respective above categories and this time we have also added the Sustainable Garment/Recycled Garments segment of the industry.”
 
69^th IIGF will also organise fashion shows and best display awards for the participating companies.