The Union Textiles Minister, Smriti Zubin Irani presented the AEPC Export Awards, 2015-2016 at Hotel Taj Palace, here today. Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani encouraged AEPC and garment exporters to be a partner in the Government's efforts towards job creation through value driven manufacturing and exports.Speaking on the occasion the Union Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, said that we will do our utmost within our constitutional framework to strengthen the industry. In the wake of demonetization, the Textiles Ministry has helped open 5 lakh bank accounts for associated workers in the industry in a period of three weeks. The Minister said that the Government is also ensuring that the workers are trained to digitally use their bank accounts.Smt. Irani further said that to further promote exports, there should be an award for the best player in emerging market in the next award season. Industry should also head towards sustainable garments from an international perspective; and should look for innovation either in marketing or technology.Speaking on the occasion Shri Ashok G Rajani, Chairman AEPC, said that AEPC Export awards extend across diverse categories and include both experienced and start-up representations.
The awards have been instituted with the aim to encourage Indian Apparel exporters to increase their export capacities and enhance competitiveness amongst firms to capture the global markets. "We have an ambitious target for export and job creation in the next three years - I call upon the winners to be mentors to the start ups and SMEs in this sector and together strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem”, he added.The Chairman said that India’s garment exports had been facing problem of stagnation since last year, due to depressed market conditions in the major markets like USA and EU. However, he said that since the announcement of the Rs 6000 crore Special Package by the Ministry in in June 2016, there has been some optimism in the industry, and exports have picked up. Garment sector alone accounted for more than 47% share in all textile goods exports from India to world. India exported worth of USD 10.96 billion garments to world during the April-Nov 2016. In the last fiscal India’s garment exports were to the tune of USD 16.9 billion.The Minister of State of Textiles, Shri Ajay Tamta and Chairman AEPC, Shri. Ashok G Rajani along with the other executive members and government officials from various ministries were also present at the event to showcase commitment towards strengthening India’s apparel export industry.
About Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC)
Incorporated in 1978, AEPC is the official body of apparel exporters in India that provides invaluable assistance to Indian exporters as well as importers/ international buyers who choose India as their preferred sourcing destination for garments. In recent years AEPC has worked tirelessly in integrating the entire industry - starting at the grass root level of training the workforce and supplying a steady stream of man power to the industry; identifying the best countries to source machinery and other infrastructure and brokering several path breaking deals for its members and finally helping exporters to showcase their best at home fairs as well as be highly visible at international fairs the world over. With AEPC's expertise and all the advantages that India has, it makes for a truly win-win situation - Indian exporters grow stronger each year in their achievements, skills and proficiency, while international buyers get superior solutions for their garment imports.