"The 58th edition of the India International Garment Fair (IIGF) got underway yesterday. The three-day Fair, organised by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), India, will cater to Autumn-/Winter 2017/ 18. The Fair was inaugurated by Union textile minister Smriti Irani. Also present on the occasion were Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Textiles, Rashmi Verma, Secretary (Textiles), Ministry Of Textiles and Subrata Gupta, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles amongst many others."
The 58th edition of the India International Garment Fair (IIGF) got underway yesterday. The three-day Fair, organised by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), India, will cater to Autumn-/Winter 2017/ 18. The Fair was inaugurated by Union textile minister Smriti Irani. Also present on the occasion were Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Textiles, Rashmi Verma, Secretary (Textiles), Ministry Of Textiles and Subrata Gupta, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles amongst many others.
Speaking at the inauguration, Irani said festivity in terms of trade had begun under the aegis of AEPC which is organising its 58th Fair. She congratulated the Fair participants for presenting their talent to the rest of the world. She hoped that through these endeavours, AEPC would go from strength-to-strength and small and medium enterprises that are new in the world of exports use these platforms that are comparatively cost effective.
Speaking at the inauguration Verma said, from next week apparel and garment exporters will be reimbursed for the state levies paid by them, with the Textiles Ministry securing Rs 500 crores from the Finance Ministry in this regard. In June last year, the government had approved a Rs 6,000 crores special package for textiles and apparel sector to create one crore new jobs in three years, attracting investments of $11 billion and generating $30 billion in exports. She said "Many of the exporters have already given their claims to the Customs department. Very soon these reimbursements will start, in fact from next week, you will start getting your money." Verma hoped We hope garment manufacturers will use this package to augment capacity to set up new units so that more investment comes and more jobs are generated and India emerges as a key player in the international market. "China currently is ceding space, it is a huge opportunity and I implore upon all our exporters to take advantage of this opportunity," Verma said.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashok G Rajani, Chairman, AEPC said India’s RMG export during April-December 2016-17 declined 0.2 per cent compared to the same period last financial year. Market sentiment were affected due to delays in roll out of special package announced for the apparel sector in June 2016 and stagnation in the Europe and US markets.
Around 1,081 buyers from 94 countries from across the world are the Fair Fourteen states are participating. A total of 312 participants are showcasing women’s wear, accessories, kid’s wear and men’s wear. The Fair aims to be one of the largest platforms in Asia where overseas garment buyers can source and forge the business relationship with India’s finest in Apparel and Fashion Accessories domain.
