India and the prospects of making a career in Textile Industry

According to recent global textile reports, India has emerged as one of the most preferred destination for global brands and their counterparts. This will likely create better employment opportunities in the country and provide the much required financial strength to the palpable economy. The strong foot holds of textile industry and increasing no of foreign key players investing is a clear indication, that India has tremendous scope in this sector. But the success story of this resilient sector dates back to the year 1991, with the onset of economic liberalization of Indian economy, this unorganized industry started shaping up and gradually stood to be the second largest employment generating sector after Agriculture for both skilled and unskilled labors in the country.

Since then the industry has proven to be the backbone of the economy. It was recently when the Apparel Export Promotion Council Chairman A Sakthivel said that India's garment industry has its inherent strengths in terms of design and raw material.

The brands from around the world are looking forward to invest and start sourcing from India. India not only is the second largest Employment provider within the country but evolved as third largest exporter of garment to Australia and has all the potential to boost the business further. The Australian garment export apparel market is expected to be as huge as $5.61 billion and if experts are believed India can tap it easily. As, India's apparel exports to Australia in 2012 were around $111 million.

"Australia is the focus country for us, considering that India and Australia are at an advanced stage of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement and also the Australian buyers wanting to reduce their over dependence on China," said Sakthivel in a press meet recently .

The coveted position that India holds globally is the result of key research institutes like, Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA. It stands to be one of the prime textile research institutes in the country. The textile industry and Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India jointly established NITRA in 1974 for conducting applied scientific research and providing support services to Indian textile industry. The organization is situated in a 50 acre land at NCR Ghaziabad, near national capital New Delhi.

To know more about NITRA, Visit http://nitratextile.org/

The Potent Policies and the Textile Sector II

As we have already discussed in our previous blogs http://bit.ly/1cg2n6w how The Indian Government has asserted and led Textile industry to be one of the largest employment  provider and a crucial contribute to the G.D.P of the country. This blog is dedicated to some other schemes that promoted and  and tremendously helped shaping and stabilizing Textile sector in the time of Global-deficit.

Integrated Textile Parks, 2005

The scheme was introduced to neutralize the weakness of fragmentation in the various sub-segments of the textile value chain and unavailability of quality infrastructure.

The Eleventh Five Year plan (2007-2012) outlay for the textiles and apparel sector was fixed at US$2.91 billion IE. (INR 140 billion), which is almost four times the outlay fixed during the tenth Plan—US$0.74 billion.

The ministry of textile has always been very resilient in framing responsible policies about planning, development, export and import limit, export promotions and all trade regulations in this sector. This includes all natural and man-made fiber used for clothing, textile and handicraft purpose.  The key area of all textile policy remains:

Technology advancement

enhancement of productivity
quality consciousness
strengthening and increasing the raw material base
product diversification
financial support
generating better and more employment opportunities

Technology mission on Cotton (TMC) 2000:--- The scheme was introduced to address concerns around cotton production and processing sectors and to place the cotton economy on a sound footing. It was initially to be phased out at the end of the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07). However the scheme mini plan was extended to the eleventh year plan to meet the targets and provide the desired results.

Jute Technology Mission (JTM) 2006:--- This program has resulted in improved yield and quality of jute fiber. It was instituted with an aim of strengthening the existing infrastructure for the development and supply of quality seeds. Its the results of this mission and other counterparts that the supply of the quality raw materiel to the jute industry comes at reasonable price. This scheme has modernized, upgraded, and improved the overall processing of jute industries.

To read more, Visit http://bit.ly/195xhPy

Let's have a look: The Potent Policies and the Textile Sector

The formidable growth of Textile Sector in mushrooming the number of employment generation opportunities and providing economic stability is exemplary. Textile industry in India is a structural wonder, as it has proven crucial for the country since it was established back in 1991.

Textile is one of the oldest industries and has a considerable presence in the national economy as it contributes a major portion to the GDP of the country. It also contributes about 15 per cent of manufacturing value-addition, accounts for around one-third of our gross export earnings and provides gainful employment to millions of people. It also contributes to nearly 30% of the total exports and is the second largest employment generator after agriculture. Government initiatives has played a key role in symbolizing and establishing this industry as a primary monetary institution and contributor.

The blog discusses some of the crucial initiative that government has taken to boost this industry in the recent  years.

·         Other than allowing 100% FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in textiles under the automatic route. The Government introduced Welfare schemes, under which the Government provides Health and Life insurance coverage to 161.10 million weavers and ancillary workers under the hand loom weaver s comprehensive welfare scheme, while 73000artisans were provided health coverage under the Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana.

·         The Credit Guarantee program introduced by the Government has applied credit cards to more than 25,000 artisans to promote and enable them with necessary supplies. More than 16.5 million applications were received for issuing Credit cards which are under banks' consideration with regards to the credit linkage program.

·         The Government of India has taken an extraordinary step to waive a package of US$ 605 Million which remain as an overdue loan on Textile industry. This is expected to benefit more than 300,000 hand loom weavers of the industry and 15,000 cooperative societies.

·         The newly announced 40 Textile Parks all across the country that as per expectation would be functional in next 36 months would leverage employment o more than 400,000 textile workers. The product mix of these parks would include garment, silk, technical, textile, carpet, processing and power loom parks.

Other than these schemes a great Memphis is laid upon skill development. The E-marketing platforms too have been introduced for the same.

An insight of the Textile industry and the Policies Framed

Textile industry remains the second largest employment generating sector after Agriculture for both skilled and unskilled labors in the country. According to a survey, the sector straight away provides employment to over 35 million people within the country. Though, was once unorganized but it completely changed after India economy opened to liberalization. The strong domestic and foreign demand of fiber has enormous helped this sector to flourish. And today, India earns an approx of 30% of its total foreign exchange through textile exports.

The Government has readily prepared a robust model to encourage, promote and produce the Textile and the opportunities availability in the sector. The Export Policies are revised in the budget every five year including Foreign Trade Policies. This also includes the various incentives under focus market scheme and Focus Product Scheme including several others.

Below discussed are various schemes and promotions, brought in effect by the Government if India for textile sector.

• Other than allowing 100% FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in textiles under the automatic route. The Government introduced Welfare schemes, under which the Government provides Health and Life insurance coverage to 161.10 million weavers and ancillary workers under the hand loom weaver s comprehensive welfare scheme, while 73000artisans were provided health coverage under the Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana.

• The E-Marketing platforms recently developed by the Central cottage Industries corporation on India (CCIC), and the Handicraft and Handloom Exports Corporation of India (HHEC) has significantly helped in simplifying marketing issues. And various marketing initiatives are being taken in order to push and promote niche handloom products.

• Skill Development, A great emphasis has been laid on skill development in 12^th Five Year Plan, an integrated skill development scheme was introduced in this Five Year Plan that aims at training 2.675, 000 people within the next 5 years. The scheme would cover all sub sectors of the textiles and apparels, handicrafts, hand looms, jute and Sericulture.

Other than this, The Government has also promoted Credit linkages, Financial Package for waivers of overdues and Textile parks.The sustainable growth this industry has witnessed in decades has tremendously boast and strengthen our economy. To keep it in the lineage the Government and the private sector has great role to play.

Source: http://bit.ly/15EXtek

Indian Textile Industry Eyes Emerging Markets

Being the second largest employment generator in the country the textile industry is booming at an exponential rate. According to Kearney’s ‘Retail Apparel Index’ India is ranked as the fourth most promising market for apparel retailers in 2009. Though the last financial year recorded a minor set back due to a dip in the export figures, experts still maintain the viewpoint that the industry is flourishing.

The statistics show that the demand for  garments has started improving in the traditional markets and exports to some new markets have also started growing. With a keen eye on expanding into the emerging markets, the Indian textile industry decides to  keep its focus intact. Even today the traditional markets are considered to be the core areas for growth. Handicrafts account for a huge portion of textile exports from India.

Thus, the South East Asian continent including countries like Japan and China; followed by Latin America (housing Brazil which is ranked as the most attractive emerging market for apparel retailers according to survey reports) and also the African continent is seen as major potential markets for expansion. At the National Garment Fair in Mumbai, Ms Kiran Dhingra, Textiles Secretary, said though the Textile Ministry is concerned over the demand slowdown in major western countries such as the US and Europe, new markets like Latin America, Africa and West Asia have good potential.

Some of the other emerging markets being focused by the textile and apparel makers for the last few years include , Russia, Australia and New Zealand as they offer good potential.

Minister of State for Textiles Panabaaka Lakshmi promises a growth of 15 percent in India’s textile exports for the current fiscal year 2013-14.

Although entry into new markets is never easy and is a long and tedious process. With the right strategies and focused approach the markets can be tapped successfully over time and the revenues can be increased.

Increasing Opportunities in Apparel Sector!

The rise of Indian middle class is one of the greatest economic trends that is shaping the global world. Also, emerging economies are creating opportunities for exports and imports in textile and clothing, making  an attractive destination for investments in textile. According to Clothing Manufacturers Association of India  (CMAI), a reputed association in the Indian textile industry, there are amazing opportunities for professionals in the coming years. In the recent years, there has been a slowdown in the Indian textile industry; however, despite it, the Indian apparel market is expected to grow annually at 13%-15% !

The Indian apparel industry is expected to grow annually to US$125 billion (Rs 6, 75,000 crore) mark by 2020! Currently, India's apparel market is estimated to be around $50 billion (Rs 270,000 crore).

According to Rahul Mehta, President of CMAI, retail will play a pivotal role in India' growth story, however, the apparel growth is not going to be an easy one. Mr. Mehta also states that increasing purchasing power of Youth will drive the growth story in India as the youth is increasingly becoming more aware of where it is spending the money.

Thanks to the rising income potential of a relatively young population in India and increasing preference of owning branded apparels, Indian youth is accelerating to succeed at every step of the process. Also, there has been a surge in demand of similar branded apparels in rural, semi-urban and urban areas.

Moreover, the increasing share of designer wears has further led to growth in the apparel market. Increasing opportunities in the Indian textile industry will open many avenues for students aspiring to make careers in the industry.

At NITRA, we always aims to provide top educational degrees to students so that they can make successful careers in this field. NITRA's NITRA Technical Campus (NTC) offers 4 year B. Tech programs in Textile Technology, and Computer Science & Engineering. In addition to that, 2 Year PGDM program in Fashion Retail Management (FRM) is also offered. 

Be a part of the thriving Textile Industry

The demand and popularity of Indian textiles has increased manifold all over the world. Its remarkable quality is gaining much appreciation worldwide and hence, the industry is growing rapidly in India. Promising immense scope in the times to come, the Indian Textile industry has to its pride some excellent benefits that can be well enjoyed by the ambitious textile aspirants across the country. The Textile sector has always been an important part of the revenue generation aspect of the Indian economy.

Also, the advanced industrial environment promises several opportunities for the skillful lot. After agriculture, the Textile Industry is the largest employment provider sector in India. Having offered livelihood to more than 30 million people in the country, this thriving sector holds excellent prospects for future growth and development. Since the British rule, European markets have been good buyers of Indian textiles. The English people have an excellent insight for recognizing the quality and benefits of textiles in India. Not only buying but the developed countries also want to invest in India textile market by setting up small facilities. Where the markets are growing in the international domain, the scenario is even better in the domestic platform. The local demand for apparel and woven textiles is at its peak and with changing trends and fashion, the textile industry in India has witnessed a boom.

Be it fashion apparel or home textiles, woven fabrics are much in demand and being utilized on large scale for both, household and commercial purposes. The industry is generating fast revenues. As a consequence of such massive expansion, the ambitious textile aspirants can benefit from myriad opportunities for professional growth being offered by this fast growing sector.

To help them hone skills and acquire holistic knowledge to pursue successful careers, the numerous students of textiles are being offered enriching training courses by several education institutes across the country.