In an exclusive interview with SME Times, Bhupendra Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles said that the National Fiber Policy will be formulated for making the textile industry globally competitive.

                                                                                            Excerpts of the interview...


What is the reason behind introducing the National Fiber Policy, which will be put in place by the year-end?

Bhupendra Singh: The National Fiber policy has been formulated for making the textile industry globally competitive. The ministry has been formulating this policy keeping in mind the requirement of the textile industry. The policy is being formulated for boosting and taking adequate care for sustainable growth and future of man-made fiber, yarn and fabric industries in India.

Will the National Fiber Policy address the problems the MSME sector is facing at the moment?

Bhupendra Singh: The policy would not address SMEs' problems in particular but certainly boost the entire textile industry's growth prospects in the international market.  It will not specifically address the problems of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the textile sector but the issues of the textile industry in general.

How will the National Fiber Policy boost the growth in the textile sector?

Bhupendra Singh: At present India is highly dependent on cotton as compared to other nations.Today, out of total fiber produced in India, 83 per cent is only cotton. The ratio of cotton to man-made fiber is 60:40 while the reverse is the case worldwide, which is 67:33. It is important to understand the present fiber availability in the country, and the likely demand growth domestically and internationally in the coming years.

What function the ministry of textile is playing for the formulation of the National Fiber Policy?
 
Bhupendra Singh: The ministry of textile has constituted a Working Group under Chairmanship of Secretary (Textiles) to suggest on National Fiber Policy.

The group would analyze and work to find out how India could become self-sufficient in fiber production not only to meet the domestic demand for internal consumption but also to serve the requirements in the export front - both in fiber and value-added finished fiber products.

What are the other areas that will be on focus in the policy?

Bhupendra Singh: The working group will also examine the interplay between the demand and supply mechanism in terms of industry parameters like imports, domestic production, and flow of investments for production of adequate fiber- both natural and man-made- and both in the immediate future and also with a long-term view.

The Working Group should also look into in detail some important issues like custom duty patterns on all fibers, excise duty pattern on all man-made fibers & their intermediaries, the cotton textiles exports policy, a critical review and analysis of he fiscal (Exim) policy.