New Delhi, 06 October (H.S.):

The first meeting of the Textile Industry Development Council (DCTI), held on Tuesday at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, focused on developing a competitive, integrated and globally competitive textile value chain.

According to the Ministry of Textiles, the meeting was aimed at strengthening the competitiveness and integration of India’s textile and apparel sector in global markets. The meeting was chaired by Neelam Shammi Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles. Detailed deliberations were held on a future roadmap for the orderly growth of the industry and the development of a robust and integrated value chain.

Neelam Shammi Rao said that the textile and apparel sector is one of the country’s major pillars in terms of employment generation and export earnings. She called for a coordinated, end-to-end approach across the entire value chain to strengthen production, foster innovation and expand access to global markets.

The meeting also deliberated on a range of key areas, including production and productivity, research and development, exports and market access, availability of raw materials and inputs, investment, skill development and sustainability.

To ensure expeditious progress and regular monitoring of priority areas, the Council agreed to constitute working groups and sub-committees. The Council will provide the government with concrete recommendations on policy and strategic interventions, with a primary focus on increasing domestic production, translating research outcomes into industrial applications, sustaining growth in textile and apparel exports, and creating new opportunities for investment and employment.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Textiles, leading industry associations, export promotion councils, research associations, representatives of state governments and experts from the sector.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar