In the presence of Ishii Taku, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Government of Japan, Yoshitaka Sasakawa, Advisor, Japan India Industry Promotion Association (JIIPA), senior AEPC functionaries, other dignitaries, and representatives from apparel brands, retail chains, etc., Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, opened the 14th edition of the India Tex Trends Fair in Tokyo, Japan.
Delivering his inaugural address Sibi George said, “I congratulate Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and Japan India Industry Promotion Association (JIIPA) for the exemplary effort in organising this biggest apparel fair in Japan. Under the India- Japan Strategic partnership there are 1500 success stories and my target is to take this number to 15,000. For this to happen, we need a quantum leap and textiles is one important sector which can help us achieve this growth.”
Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman AEPC in his address stated that, “Seven years ago we came with 70 exhibitors. This year we have 250 exhibitors from India; this is due to the collaborative effort of JIIPA and AEPC. We have come here with two objectives, first to increase RMG export from India to Japan and second to encourage and invite investment in the Indian RMG sector.”
He further emphasised Indian textile factories’ ESG compliances and adoption of renewable energy sources. He also spoke about the Kasturi cotton brand which enables customers to track the entire textile value chain via traceability managed through block chain technology. He concluded by saying that Indian factories can accommodate and deliver all kinds of orders.
Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General AEPC said, “India is an emerging economic powerhouse and is well poised to fill the gap created by the declining share of China in the Japanese market considering the fact that India has intrinsic strength in terms of fibre availability, minimal import dependence, presence of complete value chain in each fibre, demographic dividend, range and variety of Indian apparel offerings, renewed focus on quality & ESG compliance, industry-friendly textile policies of the Central and State Governments combined with ever improving business ecosystem.” After having established itself in traditional garments, the Indian apparel industry has now moved into newer areas of MMF garments, he added.
In light of the fact that Indian apparel is duty-free in Japan under the Indo-Japan CEPA, while China and Turkey have duties of 9 per cent and 9.5 per cent, respectively, it is prudent for Indian RMG exporters and manufacturers to take part in ITTF and investigate this lucrative market.
