New Delhi: The Minister of Textiles recently held a crucial meeting with senior officials from Uniqlo, facilitated by Invest India, to discuss collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing India’s textile industry. This engagement builds on Uniqlo’s earlier interaction with the Prime Minister, showcasing their commitment to fostering a sustainable and globally competitive textile sector in India.
Uniqlo, with a robust presence of 15 stores across India and a retail revenue of ₹814 crore as of March 31, 2024, has demonstrated impressive growth, with a 30% increase year-over-year. Their operations involve partnerships with 18 swing factories and 6 fabric mills sourced from 9 vendors, highlighting their dedication to quality and innovation in textiles.
During the meeting, Uniqlo expressed a strong interest in advancing cotton production capabilities within India. As the world’s largest cotton producer, India, cultivating over 11.9 million hectares, presents an ideal environment for such initiatives. Currently, India utilizes high-density quality seeds in regions like Akola, where productivity levels reach up to 1,500 kg/hectare. Uniqlo’s pilot project aligns with these efforts, achieving productivity and quality levels of up to 1,000 kg/hectare. In support of this vision, the Ministry is committed to assisting Uniqlo’s request for land to scale this initiative, emphasizing India’s potential as a global hub for high-quality cotton sourcing.
Additionally, with India’s ambitious textile growth targets—projecting a market size of $350 billion and $100 billion in exports by 2030—the Ministry has extended an invitation to Uniqlo to invest in the Prime Minister’s Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks. These parks offer a ready-to-perform ecosystem, adopting a Build-to-Suit model that ensures seamless integration for companies seeking sustainable and efficient operations.
Uniqlo’s upcoming participation in the “Bharat Tex” Global Textile Expo in February will further showcase their commitment to innovation and sustainability within the textile sector. With a global focus on sustainable and traceable practices, the Ministry has encouraged Uniqlo to extend its research and development efforts into new natural fibers, including milkweed fiber, aligning with India’s initiatives in this crucial area.