Lack of necessary skills hurting India's textile sector

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SME Times News Bureau | 12 Apr, 2010
India lacks skills necessary to exploit the potential of the textile sector in the world market, especially in technical textiles. This was stated by G. Somasundaram, Head, Industry Linkages (Skill Development), Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Cluster, Bangalore while addressing a one-day workshop on Fashion Business-Emerging Opportunities - Indian Garment Industry.

There is an urgent need for a synergy between the industry and the educational institutions to come together to offer skill development courses, lest the opportunities may slip, according to Somasundaram
said adding that "in the next ten years, more than three million persons will be required by the industry."

"Garment exports formed 45 percent of total textile exports from the country. While in other industries, the third generation entrepreneurs expanded the horizon further, the same was not the case with garment industry in India."

Fragmentation and absence of vertical integration affected the industry most. Establishment of clusters, common facility centres and development of brands held the key to success.

The increasing middle income group, expanding women employment, children-centric demands , special requirements of different segments such as transport, medicine, construction, sport, home are creating niche markets with immense scope.

He reminded that people's aspirations and expectations are such that together with the product and price, they looked forward to quality, service and experience. He underscored the need to control the price of yarn that affected the textile sector severely and for the government to release the dues early as it affected the working capital of the industry.

Around Rs 8,000 crore is blocked in this respect, he said.

Earlier, delivering the inaugural address, C. Balasubramanian, Manager, Juki India, a Japanese MNC and a pioneer in automated industrial sewing machines with 60 per centshare in the market, said fashion has become a big business and a highly complex multi-billion-dollar industry contributing significantly to national economies in India, China and a few others.

"Creativity and innovation hold the key to success in the industry," he added.

The workshop was organised by the Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association, Tamil Nadu Readymade Garment Manufacturers Association and the Department of Home Science and Fashion Designing, Fatima College, Madurai.