Big apparel manufacturers should mentor the start-ups and MSMEs: AEPC

New Delhi, Dec 20 (KNN) The textile industry has called upon the award winning big apparel manufacturers and exporters to be mentors to the start-ups and SMEs and together strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The Union Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani on Monday presented the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Export Awards, 2015-2016, for the excellence in Export Performance in Apparel Sector.

Irani encouraged AEPC and garment exporters to be a partner in the Government's efforts towards job creation through value driven manufacturing and exports.

The Union Minister presented the awards comprising twenty two categories. The awards were divided into multiple categories comprises Global exports from 50 crore to up to 500 crore and above.  

Talking to KNN, V.K. Dhawan, President, Apparel Exporters & Manufacturers Association (AEMA) said such Award Programmes are very encouraging especially for the small exporters.

“Basically it is very encouraging as this year for awards they considered all the exporters be it small or big. Earlier they used to give awards only to big exporters. Most of these small exporters are Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs),” said Dhawan.

He also added that it could be more appreciable if they would include the category for women entrepreneurs as well.

Irani, while speaking on the occasion, assured that government will do its utmost within the constitutional framework to strengthen the industry. 

The Minister said that the Government is also ensuring that the workers are trained to digitally use their bank accounts.

According to the Ashok G. Rajani, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) the AEPC Export awards extend across diverse categories and include both experienced and start-up representations.

"We have an ambitious target for export and job creation in the next three years - I call upon the winners to be mentors to the start-ups and SMEs in this sector and together strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem”, he added.

The Chairman said that India’s garment exports had been facing problem of stagnation since last year, due to depressed market conditions in the major markets like USA and EU. However, he said that since the announcement of the Rs 6000 crore Special Package by the Ministry in in June 2016, there has been some optimism in the industry, and exports have picked up.

Garment sector alone accounted for more than 47% share in all textile goods exports from India to world. India exported worth of USD 10.96 billion garments to world during the April-Nov 2016. In the last fiscal India’s garment exports were to the tune of USD 16.9 billion. (KNN/RAS)