New Delhi: The textiles ministry has drawn up a plan to identify 5,000-10,000 new exporters from districts across the country over the next two to three years as part of efforts to increase India’s share in the global textile market. It is working with states to implement district-level export road maps, said people aware of the development. The ministry aims to convert districts from production centres into export hubs by strengthening local planning, infrastructure, market linkages and institutional support.
“In this journey, 100 aspirational districts and the bottom 25 districts among the champion districts will be crucial,” said an official, who did not wish to be identified. The Centre had identified 100 champion districts and 100 aspirational districts to strengthen India’s position in global textile trade.
Champion districts are characterised by high exports and a mature textile ecosystem. Aspirational districts, on the other hand, are those with a relatively low export base but significant untapped potential across segments such as handloom, handicrafts, apparel, cotton textiles, man-made fibre products, home textiles and traditional textile clusters.
Aspirational districts include Bhagalpur in Bihar, Junagadh in Gujarat, Yamunanagar in Haryana, Kozhikode in Kerala and Nanded in Maharashtra. At present, around 530 districts participate in textile exports.
The districts have prepared their own road maps to expand as per requirements, and the Centre is in discussions with the states to facilitate implementation, according to the official.
“We are looking at capacity-building programmes for potential exporters and exporters that do not export regularly,” the official said.
The ministry is also sharing information on global market conditions and best practices among states and districts. Among the strategies proposed by districts, a recurring theme is showcasing sustainable production capabilities, supporting machinery upgradation and developing export facilitation centres for capacity enhancement.
“The districts want facilitation centres which can support them in understanding market behaviour and consumers. They want market promotion to be able to take their portfolios to the external markets,” said the official.
