The foundations of the Indian textile trade with other countries began as early as the second century BC. The silk fabric was a popular item of Indian exports to Indonesia around the 13th century, where these were used as barter for spices. Towards the end of the 17th century, the British East India Company had begun exports of Indian silks and various other cotton fabrics to other countries. These included the famous fine Muslin cloth of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The trade in painted and printed cottons or chintz, a favorite in the European market at that time, was extensively practiced between India, China, Java and the Philippines, long before the arrival of the Europeans. The textile industry's predominant presence in the Indian economy is manifest in its significant contribution to the industrial production, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings. Currently, it adds about 14 percent to the industrial production and about 2.4 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It provides employment to about 35 million work force. Together with allied agricultural sector, it provides employment to over 82 million people by the end of the tenth plan period. The contribution of this industry to the gross export earnings is over 23 percent while it adds only three percent to the gross import bill of the country. It has been estimated that India has approximately 30,000 ready made garment manufacturing units in the country. It is the only industry which is self-reliant, from raw material to the highest value added products viz. garments/ made-ups.
[...] As can be noticed, almost all of Indian garment exports to the US are leaders, or gainers, only exception being 340 which is expected to be a loser. The competitive situation in textiles is contrasting vis-à-vis the US market. It is very clear that except made-ups- which are the leaders in the USA- Indian textile export to the US has no future. And that is very much along expected lines. All important textile product categories are outliers, but not losers. [...]
[...] With the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing providing a scheduled removal of MFA quotas over the decade little global change relating to quota phase-out took place during the early stages of the Agreement. As was illustrated earlier, the flexibility granted by the ATC, together with the level and coverage of products on which it was based, meant that the integration of sectoral trade with normal GATT disciplines took place only much later. Considering also that the sector is highly mobile, certainly when compared with other production sectors, both producers and buyers (retailers) felt little pressure to reorganize production or sourcing decisions. [...]
[...] There must be a bold and reasonable price policy for cotton all over India, to enable the textile and garment industry to grow and catch up with China. The need of the hour is to evolve a strategy aimed at improving levels of productivity and efficiency, quality control, faster product innovation, quick responses to changes in consumer preference, and the ability to move up in the value chain by building brand names. The point was also made that India's presence was largely confined to the lower end of the value chain in making basic garments like T-shirts and shorts. [...]
[...] It is a low profile but highly respected players in the ready made garment export business. Since its inception 23 years ago , it has come a long way and today it manufactures and exports quality garments to renowned labels like The Avenue, Paul Harris Design, Gloria Fashion, River Island , Funka latina, Realize, As known As, Ray Cassin, B-cadeau, Lipstar, Jean Cox, Y Ups among other in Japan . ZARA, SWISS MILITARY in Europe. It is already Rs million company with excellent customer references. [...]
[...] India is being seen as the next pioneer country in ready made garment export business. Foreseeing the present booming fashion industry, the foreign buyers are showing interest in doing business with Indian exporters. Therefore it becomes mandatory for exporters to constantly present variation in designs and patterns in garments with quality maintenance. Free trade scenario has been created in the Indian market, which has resulted cut throat competition among the manufactures and exporters for various things like quality, raw material base, manpower, cost of inputs, etc. [...]
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