The Hindu Business Line : AEPC in image makeover mode

COME 2005, the year set for shedding the multi-fibre arrangement (MFA) based quota system, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) may switch its role from being essentially an export quota managing body to a fullfledged export trade facilitation body.

To make this happen, the council has already set in motion measures that would widen the AEPC's export promotional terrain. Among the steps initiated by the council are its proposal to set up six more apparel training and design centres (ATDCs) in major garment exporting zones across the country and creating fabric sourcing centre that would catalogue fabric models used by the garment exporting units and their availability.

The AEPC's reorientation will also see the council assuming the authority to issue the `certification of origin' to the garment exporters. It has requested the Centre to make filing the certification of origin issued by the Council mandatory.

Talking to the presspersons at the sidelines of the inauguration of a three-day knitwear fair here today, the AEPC Chairman and President of the Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA), Mr A. Sakthivel, said the Council had planned to set up the six ATDCs at Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Ludhiana, Chennai and Tirupur. These centres to be located in areas where the apparel parks would be functioning would help develop shopfloor training for the skilled labour which would turn a crucial area in the garment production regions. The Council would spend around Rs 25 crore on setting up the ATDCs.

The council, which had recently announced a voluntary retirement scheme for its employees, has proposed to trim down its 500-strong staff strength by half and the process of relieving them would be completed by December. The total outlay for the council's VRS compensation has been put at Rs 30 crore.

As for fabric sourcing centre being planned by the council, the AEPC may start off such a centre initially in Delhi, which would guide the garment producers on the selection of basic fabrics to be used for conversion into garment. Similar one for the knitwear sector could be located subsequently in Tirupur as well, said Mr Premal Udhani, Senior Vice-Chairman of the AEPC.

"The council is also set on developing a database on the global garment buying agencies/garment buyers who regularly outsource from India. This would enable the council plan in advance its trade facilitation activities including holding specialty fairs which would assume greater importance once the free textile trade regime comes into being next year," Mr Udhani added.

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