Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Developed World an Important Agenda: Piyush Goyal
23 August 2022: Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal said that Textile Industry has a big role to play in making Free Trade Agreements a success. Delivering the Keynote address at 10th Asian Textiles Conference TEXCON on the theme “Reimagining the Textile and Apparel Industry for the next Decade”, he said that FTAs with Developed Countries is high on the agenda of Modi Government.
Goyal said that innovation is going to be the defining feature in India’s march towards becoming a Developed Nation. He highlighted the role of innovation across all value chains in the Textile sector and also urged the Textile sector to focus on recycling and digitization. He said if the industry focuses on innovation, sustainability, digitisation, newer products and utilisation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), it can grow fast and compete with the best in the world.
Speaking on sustainability, Goyal said that textiles sector can reduce the pressure on the environment by using reusable resources as well as reduce its own production costs.
Piyush Goyal said that digitisation is another area which can help optimise the entire value chain in the sector. He expressed satisfaction at the fact that the industry captains are talking about digitisation. In current era of information technology, every industry is benefitting from new technologies like blockchain and more. He suggested that the industry should think about high quality products and elementary products like zip and embellishments, which the Indian textile industry imports at present.
The Minister said that the industry is now benefitting greatly from the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Goyal said that as we complete 75 years of independence, we can take pride in achievements of Textiles sector over 75 years.
Referring to PM’s independence speech where he referred to Panch Pran of Goal of Developed India; Remove Colonial Mindset, Take Pride in Roots; Unity and Sense of Duty, the Minister said, “Every citizen has a role to play with collective energy and collective commitment and resolve of 1.3 billion people will help us achieve the five commiments articulated by Prime Minister.
Complementing Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), for bringing together all stakeholders of the Textiles value chain on one platform , the Minister said that the theme, ‘Reimagining the Textile and Apparel Industry for the Next Decade’ is very appropriate, specially with Indian textile exports aiming to reach the target of $100 billion by 2030. He appreciated the forward looking approach of the 10th edition of the Asian Textile Conference.
CITI and Egyptian Cotton also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the presence of Minister, Piyush Goyal. Both the industry bodies will work together for mutual benefits.
