The Union Textiles Minister Shri Giriraj Singh met with textile manufacturers and exporters of Panipat, Haryana during his visit to the city today, November 18, 2024.
More than 150 representatives of manufacturers and exporters from the region participated in the meeting. The meeting sought to address key issues impacting the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and manufacturing industries in the textiles sector, particularly in Panipat, a key hub for textiles and handlooms in India.
Addressing the industry, the Textiles Minister mentioned about the need for developing new products with different blends, such as jute with bamboo, and recycled cotton with synthetic fibres, on floor-covering and carpet products.
The interaction between the Textiles Minister and the industry was organized by the Handloom Export Promotion Council, an organization under the aegis of the Office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, in coordination with Panipat Exporters Association.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Textiles, including Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Dr. M Beena; and Chairperson, HEPC and President of the Panipat Exporters Association Shri Lalit Kumar Goel were present in the meeting.
The meeting discussed policy matters concerning infrastructure development, export promotion strategies, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and policy support for SMEs in improving their growth and international competitiveness.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders to address these challenges and work towards the long-term growth of India's textiles and export sectors.
During his visit to Panipat, the Textiles Minister visited the factories of some of the leading handloom, home textiles and recycled yarn manufacturing units in the region, such as Mahajan Overseas, Excellent Fabtex, Shree Jee International, ASM Home furnishing and H R Overseas, and held discussions with the management of these units.
During the factory visits, the Textiles Minster emphasized on the need to utilise Green Energy for meeting 100% of the energy requirements of the factories.
The Minister also suggested the Panipat carpet and floor-covering industries to collaborate with the jute industry of Kolkata and utilize jute as a raw material.
The Minister urged the industries to gear up to achieve the target of a textile market of size 350 BN USD with exports of 150 BN USD by the year 2030.
In her keynote address at the meeting with industry representatives, the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Dr. Beena briefed on the export potential for various products of Panipat and urged the exporters to utilise the opportunities accordingly.
Shri Ashok Gupta of M/s. Devgiri Exports, Shri Vinod Dhamija of Hariyana Chamber of Commerce and Shri Kuldeep Wattal. Chairperson, CEPC too spoke on the occasion, expressing the views of the Panipat textile industry. The Vote of thanks was delivered by Shri N. Sreedhar, ED, HEPC.
Background
Haryana is one of the four major carpet-producing belts of India. Panipat is a major cluster for floor coverings and carpet manufacturers in Haryana, with about 200 units in the MSME sector.
Panipat is called the city of weavers, as it produces textiles and carpets. It is the biggest centre for good-quality blankets and carpets in India and has a well-recognized handloom weaving industry.
Panipat has been recognised as a Town of Export Excellence under Foreign Trade Policy, for export of woollen blankets. The total export turnover of the industry in Panipat is approximately Rs. 12,000 crores per annum, providing direct and indirect employment to about 8-10 lakh weavers/workers.
The textile products from Panipat are being exported all over the world, mainly to USA, Europe, Japan and Australia and for sale at leading retail stores such as Walmart and IKEA. The Handloom Export Promotion Council has more than 400 registered member exporters in Panipat.