Union Minister Inaugurates 71st India International Garment Fair

New Delhi: The 71st edition of the India International Garment Fair (IIGF) was inaugurated today by Union Minister for Textiles, Giriraj Singh, at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre. In his inaugural address, Minister Singh highlighted the significance of the IIGF as a premier marketing platform for micro, small, and medium exporters, showcasing India’s latest trends and diverse offerings to the global market.

Emphasizing the need for world-class manufacturing facilities to achieve the Prime Minister’s vision of “Make in India” with “Zero Effect; Zero Defect,” Singh called for the adoption of the ‘hub and spoke’ model to enhance domestic manufacturing. He encouraged industry collaboration and the establishment of Indian brands, while also announcing the revival of the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) to create internationally standardized parks.

“Today, India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world with a GDP growth rate of 7.2%, and it is expected to be the third-largest economy by 2027-28,” said Shri Singh. He attributed this growth to a positive domestic outlook and a supportive political environment, highlighting various government measures to enhance infrastructure and ease of doing business.

Singh also set ambitious targets for the Indian apparel and textiles market, which currently stands at USD 165 billion. “We aim to reach USD 350 billion, with a target of USD 50 billion in exports by 2030,” he stated, mentioning the Prime Minister’s roadmap for promoting technical fibers and geotextiles as significant growth opportunities.

Addressing competition in the global market, Singh remarked, “My challenge is not Bangladesh. I aim to surpass China in the future. We will establish small clusters for smaller players in India to boost Ready-Made Garment (RMG) exports.”

In a major announcement, the Textiles Minister revealed the expansion of the Rs 10,000 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to the garment sector to boost domestic manufacturing and exports. He emphasized that revamping textile parks and promoting green textiles would be key focuses.

Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), acknowledged the global challenges affecting Indian apparel exports but praised the industry’s resilience. “Despite adverse scenarios, the Indian apparel export industry has managed to contain the damage to a significant extent,” he noted.

Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General of AEPC, highlighted the opportunities for Indian apparel exporters to expand their footprint in developed countries. “The Indian apparel industry must seize this opportunity and start dreaming big,” he urged.

The IIGF, organized by the AEPC through the International Garment Fair Association (IGFA) in collaboration with the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), Garment Exporters & Manufacturers Association (GEMA), and Garment Exporters Association of Rajasthan (GEAR), showcases the collective spirit and teamwork of these associations. The event features more than 600 buyers from 50 countries.

In addition to the exhibitions, the 71st edition of the fair will host two fashion shows each day from June 25th to 27th, showcasing the best collections. Knowledge sessions on topics such as “Navigating Global Trade: Challenges and Opportunities for the Industry,” “The Efficiency Advantage: Driving Manufacturing Excellence in Apparel,” and “Sustainable Fashion: From Concept to Reality” will also be held on the sidelines of the event.