New Delhi, May 13 (KNN) With half of the textile industry urging the government to consider a temporary ban on cotton exports, the Minister of State for Textiles Darshana Jardosh asked the apparel & textile Industry to reduce dependence on cotton and pay attention to the global market where man-made fibre (MMF) occupies 75 per cent share.

In her inaugural address at the trade fair, 'Gartex Texprocess India' in Mumbai on Thursday, she emphasized that developing textile machinery is the need of the hour.

She spoke about how innovation in textile machinery can add value for many especially women who play a major role in this sector and also stressed the need to equip women by providing them with proper skills to meet the growing demands for ready-made garments especially those made with denim fabric in future.

The Minister encouraged the industry and scientists to come forward with their innovations and to engage in research that can bring solution.

She also appreciated the interest shown by the industry in denim fabric and remarked that the younger generation will be attracted to this.

The Minister also appreciated the organisers of the exhibition which has been expanded from Delhi to Mumbai and for creating an international level show in India that brings fabric to fashion on a single platform.

The trade fair aims to reunite the Indian textile industry for exchange of technologies and solutions to reduce India's import dependency of textile machinery. (KNN Bureau)