Textiles export to US to go up by $1.5 bn: Maran

October 7th, 2009 KOLKATA - In a bid to encourage jute production, Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran Wednesday pushed for hiking the minimum support price paid for the golden fibre by Rs.300 per quintal, nearly 22 percent over the present Rs.1,375 paid to farmers. "The ministry of textiles is working with the industry.

October 7th, 2009 KOLKATA - The central government has constituted a working group to formulate a National Fibre Policy (NFP) by the end of the year, Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran said Wednesday. "Hopefully, by the end of this year, a comprehensive policy on all fibres will be in place," Maran said during a seminar with the industry players here.

September 10th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Textile Management in Coimbatore will be upgraded and renamed Indian School of Textiles, the government announced Thursday. "The school will engage itself in research and will also undertake comprehensive consultancy services for the industry, Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran told reporters here.

August 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government Wednesday said it expected investments of Rs.5,000 crore and employment of nearly three lakh in the technical textiles sector by 2012. "The segment has a potential to attract investments and create additional employment opportunities in the coming years, Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran told reporters after launching a website -- www.technotex.gov.in -- that will meet the information needs of stakeholders.

August 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India has released 53.5 million dollars of subsidies to textile firms to upgrade their technology. This was disclosed by Union Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran while addressing a press conference here on Thursday.

July 22nd, 2009 TOKYO - With a view to finding new markets for the textile industry and reducing dependence on the US and the European Union (EU), India has begun promoting itself in Japan, with Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran inaugurating the Indian pavilion at the Mega Apparel and Textiles Show here Wednesday. The initiative is part of the government's policy to push Indian textiles exports to South East Asia, especially Japan.

July 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government is promoting an export policy regime for the textiles industry that will cover all potential markets including South East Asia, said Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran Wednesday. The government is also promoting textiles mega shows in potential markets.

July 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The 43rd India International Garment Fair that began here Wednesday will fetch manufacturers almost the same amount of business as the previous one. "The forecast isn't that bad, but I am not very optimistic either.

July 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Welcoming the general budget 2009-10, Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran Tuesday said some more announcements on empowerment of weaker sections and facilities for the growth of medium and small scale enterprises in the sector will be made soon. "We are going to converge with certain other announcements, particularly empowerment of weaker sections, welfare of workers in the unorganised sector and facilities for the growth of medium and small scale enterprises to utilise fully the assistance under schemes outlined in the budget, Maran told reporters here.

July 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government has offered a helping hand to the country's ailing textile sector by announcing a Rs.3,000-crore ($627 million) financial package to waive loan overdues of handloom cooperatives and make available loans at concessional rates for the industry. "The government has formulated a financial package of Rs.3,000 crore for waiver of the overdues of loans of the handloom cooperatives of the country and also, to provide loans at concessional rates of 7 percent per annum," Minister of State for Textiles Panabaka Lakshmi has said.

June 28th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The textile industry can heave a sigh of relief as the government plans to make available cotton at international prices that are 10-15 percent lower than the domestic cost of the fibre. Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran said that though paying the minimum support price (MSP) is an obligation which the country owes to the farmers, the textile industry will be insulated from the high cost.

June 24th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government will provide health insurance to 150,000 weavers and open two textile parks, Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran said Wednesday while unveiling the department's first 100 days' work agenda. "The textile sector is the second largest employer after agriculture and accounts for 13.5 percent of the total merchandise export earning and four percent of the GDP," said Maran.

June 19th, 2009 MUMBAI - Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran wants the sector to develop the "Made in India" brand and diversify into markets beyond the US and the European Union. "The US and EU markets are brand-driven, and through branding we will be able to create a niche market for Indian textiles products and ensure higher value realisation per unit, Maran told reporters here Friday.

June 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has called for cheap export credit and income tax exemption for export earnings for Indias garments exporters. At a meeting with Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran Wednesday, FICCI advocated credit for exporters at an interest rate of 7 percent, 100 percent exemption on income tax for export earnings for three years, initiation of skill development programmes, and reimbursement of duties to exporters.

June 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The textile industry will regain lost ground to grow at 7-8 percent in the current fiscal, Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran said here Friday. Industry is quite optimistic and I am also quite optimistic we will be able to achieve that growth, Maran told reporters on the sidelines of a conference here.