The Indian textile industry has hailed the Budget proposals for 2019-20. As the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (Texprocil) notes, the budget will bring down the cost of transport, especially for bulk products such as raw cotton. While the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry believes that the increase in allocation for development of handloom, handicraft, wool, silk, jute and power loom sectors and additional funds for skilling will benefit the industry.

P Nataraj, Chairman of Southern India Mills’ Association appreciated the announcement of “One Nation One Grid” power sector tariff and structural reforms, which according to him, will be a boon to the textile industry. The increase in the annual turnover threshold limit from Rs 250 crore to Rs 400 crore for Corporate Tax of 25 per cent will benefit several textile mills.

A Sakthivel, Vice-Chairman, The Apparel Export Promotion Council points out that the budget focuses on developing the Indian economy to a $ 3 trillion economy this year. It gives importance to infrastructure development and encourages Foreign Direct Investment. However, some of the demands of the textile industry have not been met.

Tirupur Exporters’ Association President Raja Shanmugham calls it generic budget with no specific announcement for the textile sector. He informs that the pending amount for ROSL scheme for Tirupur alone is likely to be Rs 300 crore. Further the extension of 25 per cent Corporate Tax for companies that have up to Rs 400 crore annual turnover is not available for proprietor firms.

Mayer’s new MJ 3.2 E is an electronic single jersey machine that specialises in the production of mesh and body mapping structures. The OVJA 1.1 EETT’s sports focus is on the manufacture of shoe upper fabrics and sports outerwear. It combines double electronics and bidirectional transfer selection and can knit an almost infinite variety of patterns, including hole structures. It can also knit multi-colored spacer fabrics. The OVJA 2.4 EM makes a special contribution toward optimal post-sport regeneration. This new member of the OVJA family is the most productive machine for the manufacture of mattress cover fabrics.

An established machine with new features is the Spinit 3.0 E. The fact that the Spinit 3.0 E now also processes polyester, is capable of a higher working speed and is linked to the knitlink digital platform makes the spinning and knitting machine an even more attractive proposition.

In contrast to a conventional circular knitting machine that uses latch needles, the Weftnit, inspired by weft knitting, uses bearded needles. That has advantages in stitch formation, which for one is much more gentle than when latch needles are used. For another, the stitch structure is finer than that of a conventional circular knitting machine with the same gauge. In addition, the bearded needle technology increases the machine’s production speed.

The EU and the US may withdraw GSP Plus concessions for Sri Lanka. If this happens, it will automatically reduce the country’s export earnings and the competitiveness of its products in EU markets vis-à-vis several Asian countries enjoying such concessions. If the US too withdraws its GSP concessions, it will be a double whammy for Sri Lanka. About 57 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total exports go to these two markets. Apparels are Sri Lanka’s biggest exports to the EU. Almost 90 per cent of Sri Lankan exports to the EU are exported under GSP Plus or with zero duty. The GSP Plus scheme encourages increased value addition within Sri Lanka and thereby promotes backward integration, resulting in the setting up of new industries, and creating new employment opportunities in the country. Sri Lankan exporters can also exploit the potential for agro-based processed food exports in collaboration with European companies through joint ventures and transfer of technology. Small and medium enterprises can be encouraged to work more effectively and be part of the value chains of larger companies. However, the GSP Plus utilization rate is still relatively low in Sri Lanka. It was only 55 per cent in 2017. In clothing, it was 43 per cent.

The EU has signed trade agreements with Mercosur and Vietnam. Mercosur is a bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The agreement is expected to give European companies an important head start in a market with an enormous economic potential. It will remove the majority of tariffs on EU exports to the countries—which will spell an opportunity for textiles, too. For clothing and footwear, the agreement will see 35 per cent tariffs eliminated, and the 26 per cent tariff on knitted fabrics will also be removed. This will help boost exports of EU products that have so far been facing high and sometimes prohibitive tariffs. Through this trade pact, Mercosur countries have decided to open up their markets to the EU. This is the largest trade agreement the EU has ever concluded.

The free trade agreement with Vietnam is the most ambitious free trade deal between the EU and an emerging economy to date. The deal is set to strengthen trade relations between the EU, and not just Vietnam, but the entire Asean region, which also comprises Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The EU is aiming at closer trade and investment relations between the two regions.

Garment workers in many countries are being exploited, says the International Trade Union Confederation. In many countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia and Indonesia, union-busting measures are frequent and workers attempting to form a union are systematically dismissed. Conditions in the Asia-Pacific have deteriorated more than any other region with an increase in violence, violent attacks on workers, and criminalisation of the right to strike. In Colombia 34 workers were murdered in 2018.

The condition workers in Bangladesh are among the worst in the world. They are exposed to mass dismissals, arrests, violence and state repression against peaceful protests. In the garments sector, strikes are often met with extreme brutality by police forces.

Even in Europe 50 per cent countries now exclude groups of workers from the law, up from 20 per cent in 2018. A shocking 85 per cent of countries violate the right to strike while 80 per cent of them deny some or all workers the right to collective bargaining. Workers have no or restricted access to justice in 72 per cent countries ut of 145 countries; 54 deny or constrain free speech and freedom of assembly. Authorities have impeded the registration of unions in 59 per cent of countries and workers experience violence in 52 countries.

Over the past 20 years, e-textiles have progressed from an academic curiosity to an important technology platform generating revenue for companies globally. Companies in e-textiles get the majority of their revenue on a project-by-project basis. Many companies continue to investigate this sector, fuelled by a clear long-term vision for the potential around e-textiles. Electronic products and their surrounding digital ecosystem which they fuel are key products for the four largest companies in the world. The idea is to combine the features of each, providing a comfortable, fashionable, customisable interface between humans and digital products, creating huge value in the process. These early steps are critical to establishing real short-term revenue, before developing towards the bigger picture ideas.

Challenges for e-textiles companies range from optimising supply chain and manufacturing, validating product value in the minds of consumers to end of life management of the products once they are sold. Steps are being taken across these challenges, in investing to consolidate advanced manufacturing in house, pursuing medical approval routes for biometric monitoring after consumer routes have proven unfavorable, and by optimising materials with recycling or disposal in mind.

Most prominent e-textile brands remain relatively young, driven either by recent start-ups, spin-outs from larger companies lower in the value chain, or generally companies outside of the mass-market consumer sector in either textiles or electronics.

In the budget, the grant for textile and apparel is about 30.41 per cent lower than the previous year’s revised grant. This is mainly because of the discontinuation of ROSL scheme from March 7, 2019. The new scheme called Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies which was announced simultaneously will be issued through free transferable scrips. In terms of percentage change, the maximum change in grant is for the Integrated Wool Development Program, which has increased by about 447 per cent.

In terms of value, the maximum grant is for procurement of cotton by the Cotton Corporation of India, which is 118 per cent higher than the last year. There has been a slight increase of about 12.4 per cent in the Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme. For the handicraft development program, the grant has been increased by about 18.9 per cent. For silk and jute, the grant has been increased by 23.2 per cent. The power loom sector has got an increase of 49.8 per cent in the total grant. The grant for the Integrated Scheme for Skill Development has been increased by about 139.3 per cent.

The textile sector in India is the biggest employer after agriculture.

Apparel Sourcing Paris will be held September from 16 to 19, 2019. The event will foster exchange of ideas and allow both visitors and exhibitors to compare information about current trends. This is the biggest trade fair in Europe for sourcing clothes and will host over 700 exhibitors from all over the world. The offer encompasses all the markets for women’s, men’s and children’s ready-to-wear. This covers knitwear, dresses and blouses, tailoring, sportswear, evening wear, outerwear, made-to-measure, lingerie and swimwear, work wear and textile accessories.

The September edition will mark Turkey’s return. The exhibition is also expecting participation by countries which traditionally attend Apparel Sourcing, such as China, which accounts for the main contingent coming to the show from overseas, and Hong Kong, a hub for business with China. However, it will also welcome India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, in addition to Ethiopia. Cambodia will have artisan and classic products on display, such as dresses, tunics and traditional scarves.

There will be a series of lectures on changing markets and topical issues such as clothes sourcing in Vietnam, a supply region which is expanding, and financing for fashion labels. In addition, the agenda includes live catwalk shows and presentations of collections by Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Chinese, Cambodian and Ethiopian delegations.

"The 12th edition of three-day-long Indian Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Show (IFJAS 2019), organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) generated business inquiries worth Rs. 145 crore on its conclusion in Noida."

The 12th edition of three-day-long Indian Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Show (IFJAS 2019), organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) generated business inquiries worth Rs. 145 crore on its conclusion in Noida.

Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH informed that over 504 overseas buyers and their representatives sourced from a diverse range of products showcased by over 250 Indian exporters, manufacturers and entrepreneurs from various parts of India alongwith special regional flavour with participation of artisans from Eastern, Western and Southern regions of India.

The products displayed at the event included fashion jewellery, semi precious fashion jewellery, fashion accessories, hand bags, purses, fancy shoes and embroidered fashion accessories etc. The second day of the show included the distribution of Ajay Shankar Memorial awards to best design and display stands. These awards were presented by Manoj Tiwari, Hon’ble Member of Parliament and President of BJP, Delhi.

Buyers from Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Belgium, Colombia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, UAE, UK and USA visited during three days extravaganza and sourced the requirement of exquisite range of products of fashion jewellery and accessories.

Apart from above, buyers from CIS countries namely Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Tajikistanand buyers from African countries like Congo, Ghana, Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria and South Africa also visited the show.

The show, which ended with positive note, was organised by EPCH- a nodal agency for promotion of handicrafts exports from the Country and projects India’s image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality handicrafts.

"The 12th edition of the Indian Fashion Jewellery Accessories Show, presented the Ajay Shankar Memorial Awards for the best design and display stands. The show is currently being held at India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida. Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Member of Parliament & President BJP Delhi, presented the awards to the selected participants in a colorful ceremony held followed by cultural performances."

The 12th edition of the Indian Fashion Jewellery Accessories Show, presented the Ajay Shankar Memorial Awards for the best design and display stands. The show is currently being held at India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida. 

Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Member of Parliament & President BJP Delhi, presented the awards to the selected participants in a colorful ceremony held followed by cultural performances.

The awards were given in two categories i.e. Fashion Jewellery and Fashion Accessories. One gold, two silver and two bronze awards were given in both the categories.

The Ajay Shankar Memorial Awards were instituted in the memory of late Ajay Shankar, former Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) who was one of the major motivators for establishing this fair.

Tiwari expressed his delight at the range of jewelry and accessories displayed at the show. According to him, the handicrafts sector is not only increasing exports from the country but also creating employment for a large number of artisans and craftsperson.

He further said that the arts and crafts of India are known from the ancient time for intricate workmanship, exquisite nature and exclusive designs. Each state of India have distinct nature of arts and crafts produced at the village level for many centuries. More than 70 lakhs artisans engaged in producing various types of items are the backbone of the handicrafts sector.