After the portfolios of Union Ministers were announced on Friday and Smriti Irani was retained as Union Minister for Textiles, the textile and clothing industry here is hopeful that many of the pending issues will be resolved.

According to the Southern India Mills’ Association, the new team of ministers in the key ministries have understood and know the issues related to the sector.

The industry will continue to extend its cooperation to the Central Government.

It will focus on the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, the need for a textile policy, and to reduce GST on viscose fibre.

Tiruppur Exporters’ Association president Raja M. Shanmugham said the association would extend full support to the Union Minister for Textiles.

The Government should address issues such as ATUFS pending claims, simplification of ATUFS guidelines, procedural issues in getting ROSCTL benefit, and Free Trade agreement with European Union, the U.K, Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with Australia and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Canada, etc.

The Indian Texpreneurs Federation has said the Ministry should focus on fundamental changes needed in some of the policies.

Textile exports should grow and for that there should be a fibre neutral policy, cotton technology mission, support for SME apparel makers to diversify and tap opportunities in new overseas markets.

The government should come out with a mechanism for scientific data collection of cotton cultivation.

Published On : 31-05-2019

Source : The Hindu