2nd September 2015
Taking from the Union Governments’ “Make in India” as a motto for the Textile Apparel Sector, Intimate Apparel Association of India (IAAI) organized a 2-day trade fair that focus on intimate wear manufacturing in India. Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles (Independent Charge) inaugurated the exhibition. Dr. Darlie Koshy, DG & CEO of Apparel Training and Design Centre (ATDC) and Institute of Apparel Management (IAM) was a lead panelist at the discussion on Making in India, Selling globally. A white paper on ‘Make in India, Make for the World: Developing India as a quality intimate supplier for global markets’ was also released by the Textile Minister.
Inaugurating the 2 days trade fair Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles said “Our honourable Prime Minister’s call of Make in India is deeply etched in the soul of the country. Our textile industry is capable of manufacturing products of high global demand. One of our USPs is the creation of beautiful traditional motifs by our highly skilled manpower. Textile industry has remained in the backgear from past many years and there is lot of scope to flourish this sector. GST is important and we are trying that in GST textile industry remains in the lower level. There is maximum scope of employment in our industry. I would like to convey one thing to all the brands present here that our ministry will always work to support you all. I assure that our ministry will support you and this intimate apparel industry has a long way to go.”
Speaking in the key session on Making in India Skilling Globally, Dr. Darlie Koshy DG & CEO, ATDC & IAM said: US is leading importer with a share of 24 % worldwide. Currently China is the largest supplier of intimate clothing worldwide with a share of 44% in the global market. So in India there is need a lot of Joint ventures and FDI inflows to bring in the necessary technology and to grow up markets as Srilanka did in mid-80’s and early 90’s while getting most industries, Victoria Secrets etc.Infusion of Technology &skilled workforce are required for these ‘engineered’ products. Moreover, to start manufacturing of new product categories industry also needs a path breaker who musters courage to tread towards a new horizon. Once someone start something new more companies get attracted to it and ultimately they help develop the product and also bring in the required investment.
India is a major global player in the overall Textiles and Apparel sector, but in sub-segment of Intimate Wear India is yet to make in-roads in world trade. The session on “Making in India, Selling globally” focused on how intimate wear manufacturing industry in India can be advanced in the country It also focused on the strengths of Indian industry that can be leveraged to position India as a leading manufacturing destination for Intimate wear with domestic market for intimate wear (Lingerie, underwear, innerwear and all other associated garment categories ‘group at 43%) while export of Intimate Wear from India is growing at about 12-13%. The challenges hindering industry’s growth and the steps needed to be taken by Government, industry and supporting institutes to eliminate them were also highlighted
Experts from Textile and Apparel Industry, Mr. Shreyaskar Chaudhary, Managing Director, Prathibha Synthex, Mr. Perkinian Chellamani, CEO, Seeds Intimate Apparel, Mr. Tarun Jindal, Managing Director, Precise Seamless Apparels Pvt. Ltd, , Mr. Hans Beuhr, Ex Head of Purchasing Asia for Triumph International / CEO of HNM Consulting and Executive Director of HKIAIA, Ms. Marie-Laure Bellon, CEO/ President & Director, Eurovet, also attended this exhibition and discussed on various issues of Intimate Apparel Industry.