Indian Textile Minister Smriti Irani has urged buyers and buying houses to not cancel orders and to show solidarity in this difficult time when the world is facing the harsh impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a video message, the minister said, “It is my appeal to buying houses and buyers, with folded hands, to not cancel a single order. Delivering schedules can be reworked, payment plans can be extended. Let us show the world that India can do commerce with compassion. Our Prime Minister has also announced measures to protect the rights and wages of our workers.”
The minister also assured that the Government stands shoulder to shoulder with the apparel industry in these challenging times. Indian textile and apparel industry has welcomed this appeal and reacted positively. Apparel Resources approached a few top buying houses of India on this appeal of the Textile Minister.
Triburg, India’s leading buying house which is working with many top brands and retailers across the globe, reacted on it, “We thank the Minister and State. We stand behind her urgent plea to protect our workers and their families. We all will put ourselves to the task and stand behind her call to do commerce with compassion. We hope our buyers and us, who have partnered with each other through many difficult phases, will work together through this crisis as well,” asserts Jyoti Saikia, MD, Triburg.
Lokesh Parashar, President, Federation of Buying Agents, says, “We welcome the Minister’s appeal. We will push the sentiments across to all our members and buyers. It is needed for the exporter associations/councils and the ministry to collectively engage the buying agents/buyers and offer them tangible solutions than just mere words. The way forward is difficult but not impossible. So yes, it is a very good step forward. Let’s get together and put it to action.” The Federation of Buying Agents is buyer’s council representing the voice of the buyers as their buying agents.
Deepak Mohindra, Chairman, Apparel Resources, comments, “Message is very much in line to my thinking… show compassion towards your fellow trading partners. The industry players, both buyers and manufacturers, have always advocated better relationship, total transparency and the importance of showing responsibility towards our social obligation. These are the times that demand it. How can we not come forward and take responsibility! What Smriti Irani said is so true and relevant in today’s world crisis. Together, let’s stand to ‘tough it out’!”
Sameer Thapar, Director, Montrose India (a leading buying house of the country), is of the opinion that wherever possible, some buyers are being helpful according to their capabilities and financial capacities. “We must support each other. Industry requires the Government support in terms of subsidies – that is what we look forward to. Wherever possible, we will do our best, but the current situation is beyond our control where not much can be done.”
For any further detail in this regard, the Minister also shared the contact detail of AEPC senior officials – Sanjeev Nandwani, Secretary-General (SG), 9432587481; Jyoti Kaur, 9910169994.
On 17th March, Apparel Resources reported in detail how buyers are cancelling orders and how it is affecting apparel manufacturers.
Coronavirus effect: Orders cancelled, production halted
Later also on 20th March, we reported that apart from cancelling orders, sourcing from India, overseas apparel buyers are differing and deferring the payment against the promise for already sent goods and are also not lifting the goods further. They are forcing apparel exporters to give heavy discounts without any reason.
Tirupur’s 23 trade bodies come together, urge Government for support
It is pertinent to mention here that buyers have cancelled $ 1.48 billion orders as claimed by Dr. Rubana Huq, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). She urged Gerd Müller, the German Minister for economic cooperation and development, to immediately ask all German brands sourcing from Bangladesh to not cancel or hold shipments.
