The Textile Ministry will give subsidies for setting up processing development parks on the lines of mega textile parks and has set aside ₹70 crore for the purpose.

“A pilot project will be launched soon following which we will scale up the scheme,” said Sunaina Tomar, Textiles Joint Secretary,at a CII conference on textiles.

Tomar said that the scheme for integrated textile parks, for which ₹40 crore has been set aside, will also be upgraded.

The strength of Indian textile industry lies in the ginning and spinning, and there is a need to focus on weaving and processing sectors, pointed out Saurabh Bhai Patel, Minister of Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals, Mines & Minerals, Cottage Industries, Salt Industries, Printing and Stationary, Planning, Tourism, Civil Aviation, Labour and Employment, Government of Gujarat.

“There is also a need to give more thrust on the garment industry as it is a labour intensive industry providing more employment opportunities,” he said.

Patel said that the Centre was working on making labour laws more flexible which was very important for the textiles industry, adding that it could be left to State Governments to decide how “aggressive’’ they wanted to be.

“India has a unique opportunity and competitive edge over China in handloom and handicraft sector,” pointed out Jim Brett, President of US-based West Elm Williams Sonoma Inc.

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