The textile and clothing industries is the largest foreign exchange earner, contributing to over 20 per cent of India’s total export. It also accounts for more than 5 per cent of GDP and provides direct employment to 38 million people. Also the textile sector is expected to attract an investment of $36.5 billion in next five years and will achieve the export target of $ 55 billion by 2012, according to the Textile Ministry.

India’s overall exports of textile and garments are presently pegged at $ 16 billion to reach $ 50 billion by year 2010. To meet this target the sector will need to upgrade and modernise, dedicate more resource into product design and innovation, and also see aggressive marketing in global markets. For all this there needs to be an integration between the buyers and sellers. Based on this vision, the 4th edition of the Fabrics and Accessories Trade Show is scheduled for August 17-19, at the Trade Centre in Bangalore organised by S S Media & Marketing. The show will bring together manufacturers and suppliers of fabrics, trimmings, embellishments and related services together for the benefit of buyers of these raw materials.

Global supplier
India is all poised to become an outsourcing destination as it has the advantages of strong raw material base, man made fabric, large production capacity, vast pool of skilled man power, entrepreneurship, flexibility in production process and long experience with US and Europe. To have an edge over China, the need is to move up the textile value chain targeting hi-end design, product innovations and garments.  

Also the domestic market consisting of the young population and middle class group growing at 20 per cent, is a strong boost for the industry. But, rising cost and infrastructure limitations are major hurdles.