Saurabh Patel opens ‘Indian International Fabric Expo 2014’ in Ahmedabad(video)

Ahmedabad, 14 October 2014

At a time when International buyers are steering their interest towards Indian textile industry, Indian International Fabric Expo 2014 (IIFE, 2014), today began in Ahmedabad at Andaz lawn, S.G.Highway. This three-day expo, which will end on 16th October, 2014, is slated to be a boon for powerloom entrepreneurs and exporters scouting for overseas buyers. The exhibition is being organized by the Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) with active support from Ministry of Textile, Government of India and under the Market Assistant Initiative Scheme of Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Along with Indian presence, International buyers from SAARC, ASEAN, African, European & American countries representing Vietnam, Cambodia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Bangladesh, Poland, Canada, Malaysia, Ghana, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Egypt and Australia are expected to visit during the expo in large numbers.

The International Fabric Expo was inaugurated by Finance minister of Gujarat Shri Saurabhbhai Patel. The other Guest of honour were Smt. Minakshiben Patel, Mayor of Ahmedabad & Shri Rakeshbhai Shah, President GCCI. More than 150 Indian exhibitors displayed kaleidoscope products such as textile fabrics, denim, technical textiles, industrial fabrics, specialty fabrics, made-ups & home textiles.

Addressing the inaugural function, Shri Patel said, “I am very happy that Ahmedabad has been selected as the host city for IIFE, 2014. Gujarat is one of the largest cotton producers in the country. Besides, in fabric production, its share stands at 31%, whereas in yarn making, its contribution is about 38%. These factors have enabled Gujarat to make significant progress in textile industry, but we still want to promote the sector as it has enormous potential for job creation. To serve this purpose, Gujarat government has come up with a dynamic textile policy. Under this policy, we have set up a target of adding 25 lakh spindles in the existing capacity in next seven years. Further, we are also promoting setting up of ginning, spinning & weaving units in the rural areas, as this can help in job creation in big way.”

Earlier, in his welcome speech, Shri Vishwanath Agrawal, Chairman, PDEXCIL, said “In India, 62% of fabric production is being done through small and medium scale enterprises. But to ensure that this output meets international standard, we need to go for modernization and adopt advanced technology. In such scenario, I am hopeful that this edition of IIFE will help the SMEs in the sector to market their products in the global market.”

Shri Bharat Chhajer, Immediate Past Chairman, Export Promotion & Convener, PDEXCIL, said, “With 70% of the total powerloom & textile processing capacity, Gujarat has a great scope for growth of the textile sector. This exhibition – IIFE has potential to spur the growth of the industry, as it will attract international visitors in big numbers. Even special delegation from countries like Vietnam – one of the largest exporters of textiles in the world, is also visiting this exhibition. This really augurs well for the industry and we expect that this exhibition will generate business of about Rs. 200 crore.”

A series of events like Seminars on relevant topics, fashion shows, B-B meetings etc. will also be part of Fabric Expo starting 14th October 2014.

While the exhibition also enjoys support of Government of Gujarat as the partner state, the host city of Ahmedabad has also been declared as the city of excellence in exports. Apart from an important economic & industrial hub and the second-largest producer of cotton in the country, the city also has a number of manufacturing facilities includes ginning, spinning, weaving, knitting, processing and garmenting. With the largest processing and finishing capacity for cotton textiles in India, the industrial capital of Gujarat’s contribution in total output of the textile sector is also significant.

While powerloom sector is considered as lifeline of the Indian textile industry, its clusters are concentrated in certain areas such as Erode, Madurai, Ichalkaranji, Solapur, Bhiwandi, Malegaon, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bilwara, Doddaballapura, Gorakhpur, Komarapalayam, Ludhiana, Umargaon, Surat, Sircilla, Ranaghat, Nagari, Panipat and Burhanpur. Since its inception, PDEXCIL has been taking all initiatives for promotion of these units. Today a large number of manufacturers and exporters are registered as its members.