Surat: Young entrepreneurs should be associated with the apparel industry: Union Minister of State for Textiles Darshanaben Zardosh

‘Garment Conclave’ by The South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SGCCI) and The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) on Saturday, 11-02-2023 from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM at Platinum Hall, Sarsana ‘ was organized. The Garment Conclave was inaugurated by India’s Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways, Darshanaben Zardosh. Apart from this, he also inaugurated the Gujarat Regional Office of CMAI.

The ‘Garment Conclave’ was attended by international fashion designer Rahul Mishra, MD, Wazir Advisors Prashant Agarwal, MD & CEO, Soch (MD Retail India Pvt Ltd) Manohar Chhatlani, Honorary Secretary General, CMAI Mumbai and CEO, Peppermint and Santosh Kataria, Managing Director, Dr. Rajesh Bheda, Managing Director, Rajesh Bheda Consulting and Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, CMAI, guided the industrialists of Surat on all aspects of garment industry development.

Chamber of Commerce President Himanshu Bodawala said, India is the second largest producer of textile materials in the world but also a major importer of garments in the world. India’s apparel imports grew by 53 per cent to $1.2 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal. In which more than 40 percent readymade garments were imported from Bangladesh and 20 percent from China. EU is the largest importer of garments after USA, Japan and UK, thus there is huge scope for export of garments.

CMAI President Rajesh Masand said, CMAI has been doing National Garment Show for years. To promote the brand of India, they are now going to organize an exhibition in Dubai in November-2023, in which more than 150 exhibitors will participate. He said that a branch of CMAI has been started in Surat to provide guidance to the entrepreneurs of Surat. The future of the garment industry in Surat is very bright and CMAI will support the entrepreneurs at all levels.

India’s Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways Darshanaben Zardosh said that there is a lot of scope for the apparel industry in Surat. The raw material for making garments is made in Surat itself, which will reduce the production cost of making garments. To connect the young entrepreneurs of Surat with the garment industry. MSME industries are the largest employers in Surat. So government is also thinking for PLI-2 scheme. The industry is trying to ensure that students studying in fashion designing training institutes get government approved certificates as apparel is what designers need the most.

Presenting the outline of the program, CMAI Gujarat Regional President and former Chamber President Dr. Ajay Bhattacharya urged the industrialists of Surat to set up the garment industry. For this, every kind of cooperation will be provided to the entrepreneurs by the Chamber and CMAI and from time to time, entrepreneurs will be guided through various seminars and workshops related to apparels.

Fashion designer Rahul Mishra said, if they become comfortable in fashion designing then after two-four years they will have trouble. So fashion designers have to constantly research for new designs. A unique design adds value to a garment. Hence there are ample opportunities for fashion designers in the apparel industry as well. The local industry also needs to recognize the talent of local fashion designers. Industry and fashion designers together can take the garment industry forward.

Prashant Aggarwal said that from 2010 to 2021, China’s apparel exports increased from $144 billion to $175 billion. Bangladesh from $17 billion to $40 billion and Vietnam from $11 billion to $29 billion. Worldwide apparel exports have increased from $333 billion to $487 billion. He said that entrepreneurs can set up an apparel industry with 200 to 500 machines with proper technology, proper software, proper lighting and physical layout.

Manohar Chhatlani told, started trading business with Ladies and Kids Garments. Garments should be of good quality and finishing. About 100 garment factories with machines costing Rs 250 to 300 have started in Jaipur. If Jaipur can do it then why not Surat? The raw material available in Surat has maximum scope for the apparel industry.

Santosh Kataria said that hard work will have to be done for the development and brand building of the garment industry. Fashion is made of synthetic fabrics. The current era is of forward integration, so after making fabric, the entrepreneurs of Surat should now go into garmenting and then into retail. Space, labor and money are everything in Surat, so entrepreneurs need to have a vision.

Rajesh Bheda said that the young entrepreneurs of Surat can jump into the garment industry and take the industry to a point in ten years. He gave information about the difficulties of the industry and smart manufacturing. Garment makers are making and sending virtual and physical samples within four hours. T-shirts are being made without human touch with the help of software automation. America and Europe are moving in this direction. We also have to think about smart manufacturing in garments.

Rahul Mehta said that there are many successful businessmen in Surat, but they are not in the garment industry. Raw material supply chain is very important for apparel manufacturing, which is already available in Surat. Surat has a favorable climate for the apparel industry. So one has to study some things, work hard and plan to make a brand in clothing. Businessmen now have to think about increasing productivity instead of cost cutting.

The Garment Conclave was followed by presentations by experts followed by a panel discussion. In which Manohar Chatlani, Santosh Kataria and Chief Mentor of CMAI Rahul Mehta participated as panelists. The panellists satisfactorily answered the queries of the entrepreneurs regarding the garment industry.

Chamber of Commerce’s Honorary Minister Bhavesh Taylor expressed gratitude to all present. Dr. Bandana Bhattacharya, Group Chairperson of the Chamber acted as the moderator for the entire conclave. While Deepak Sheta and Manoj Gautam, chairman of the Chamber’s Garment Committee, introduced the speaker.