Textile industry stakeholders in Tamil Nadu have impressed upon the Government the need for setting up a Textile Board in the State and a separate export policy in line with the Foreign Trade Policy of the Centre for the State.

These were among the 10-point suggestions put forth by knitwear garment exporters in Tirupur for possible incorporation in the new Textile Policy of Tamil Nadu.

Sharing details of a textile stakeholders’ meeting organised by the State Government to discuss issues related to the textile sector ahead of unveiling the new textile policy, B Shanmugasundaram, who represented TEA, said establishment of a Textile Board with government and industry association representatives would strengthen the focus towards development of the textile industry in the State.

A separate export policy in line with the FTP of the Centre would help boost TN’s exports, he said adding “the garment sector in Tirupur contributed to 11 per cent of the State’s export turnover. There is huge potential to double this with friendly-policy interventions”.

A Technology Upgradation Fund (TUF) scheme providing 5 per cent interest subsidy/ 10 per cent capital subsidy towards expansion or modernisation as in the Gujarat Textile Policy 2012 or a special package for the textile sector as in other states, capital subsidy for investment in Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), power subsidy to reduce the cost of treatment and processing charges and incentives for setting up technical textile units in TN would go a long way in boosting the textile industry in the state.

As skill requirement is much needed in the garment sector, training subsidy of Rs 2,000 per month per trainee has to be provided for a maximum period of three months irrespective of the unit’s capacity, TEA suggests, appealing for strengthening of infrastructure amenities as well.

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