The Leela Palace, New Delhi was the venue for AEPC’s Excellence in Exports and Lifetime Achievement Awards recently. The evening saw leading exporters converge to celebrate success stories for the Financial Year 2010-11 and 2011-12. The occasion was graced by the presence of Anand Sharma, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles; Zohra Chatterji, Secretary Textiles; S.R. Rao, Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce; Anup K. Pujari, DGFT; and V. Srinivas, Joint Secretary (Exports), Ministry of Textiles.
Congratulating the winners, Anand Sharma highlighted the importance of the industry in the overall economy. “Apparel symbolizes the main driver for entire textile value chain. The importance of the sector lies in ensuring the preservation of traditional crafts and modern skills coupled with mixing the same with buyers’ behaviour. Its economic importance can be attributed to its high employment potential, moderate capital investment, high-value addition, and potential to earn foreign exchange. The apparel sector provides employment to an estimated 11.22 million workers, including women,who mainly come from weaker section,” he said.
Dr. A Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC took the centre stage to assure the Government that the industry has a strategy in place for growth. “Government’s vision of doubling the exports is our mission and the AEPC has put up an ambitious plan for increasing the garment exports to US $ 30 billion in 3 years by allowing import of speciality fabrics, which are not widely available in India. In this regard, we have submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Textiles for reducing the custom duty at a flat rate of 5% on selected speciality man-made fibre and cotton fabrics for re-export purpose on a trial basis,” he informed.
The AEPC Chairman laid out the various schemes that have come as a balm to the struggling industry. “2% interest subvention scheme on readymade garment sector which has been extended up to March 2014; and 2% Market Linked Focus Product Scheme for USA and EU has been extended up to 31st March 2013 for readymade garment sector.Some of the other important announcements for which the entire textiles industry is thankful includes the continuation of TUF scheme; additional incentives for incremental exports to the US, European Union and Asian countries during the period Jan.-March 2013; additional duty credit of 2% of FOB value given on export of certain knitwear apparels, w.e.f. Jan. 1, 2013; zero duty EPCG scheme extended up to 31stMarch, 2013; and financial support for implementation of DISHA in 12th Five Year Plan and now looking for establishing DISHA Mauritius” he said.
The new Textile Secretary made it known that she was aware of the importance of the industry for employment generation, assuring the gathering that she was behind them to work out ways to not only retain business but also grow in the face of stiff competition. She invited the industry for discussion and deliberation on important matters.
No new names emerged as the star performer Shahi remained a leader in Global Exports, followed by Orient Craft and Gokaldas Exports. However, the surprise of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award given to Rajendra J Hinduja, as the Managing Director of Gokaldas Exports. He also received all the awards given to Gokaldas Exports, which is surprising, considering that the Hinduja family had exited the business some years ago. It raises a question as to whether they are making a comeback to the industry after a sabbatical!
Other winners included Gokaldas Images as the highest exports in focus countries and Eastman Exports Global Clothing for highest export by manufacturer exporter and highest exporter in knitted garments and highest exporter in cotton garments.
