Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Bharat Tex 2025
Bharat
Tex is becoming a strong platform for engagement, collaboration and partnership
for the policymakers, CEOs and industry leaders from across the world: PM
Bharat Tex showcases the cultural diversity of India through our traditional
garments: PM
India saw a 7% increase in textile and apparel exports last year, and is
currently ranked the sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparels in the
world: PM
Any sector excels when it has a skilled workforce and skill plays a crucial
role in the textile industry: PM
It is important to maintain the authenticity of handloom craftsmanship in the
age of technology: PM
World is adopting the vision of Fashion for Environment and Empowerment, and
India can lead the way in this regard: PM
India's textile industry can turn ‘Fast Fashion Waste’ into an opportunity,
leveraging the country's diverse traditional skills in textile recycling and
up-cycling: PM
The Prime
Minister, Narendra Modi addressed the Bharat Tex 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New
Delhi today. He also took a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the
occasion. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed everyone to
Bharat Tex 2025 and remarked that today Bharat Mandapam was witnessing the 2nd
edition of Bharat Tex. He added that the event gave a glimpse of our heritage
as well as the prospects of Viksit Bharat, which was a matter of pride for
India. “Bharat Tex is now becoming a mega global textile event”, remarked Shri
Modi. He added that all the twelve communities related to the spectrum of
the value chain were part of the event this time. He further noted that there
were exhibitions of accessories, garments, machineries, chemicals and dyes as
well. The Prime Minister highlighted that Bharat Tex was becoming a strong
platform for engagement, collaboration and partnership for the policymakers,
CEOs and industry leaders from across the world. He lauded the efforts of all
the stakeholders involved in the organization of the event.
“More
than 120 countries are participating in the Bharat Tex today”, said Modi. He
added that this meant that every exhibitor had the exposure to more than 120
countries, giving them the opportunity to expand their business from local to
global. He added that those entrepreneurs in search of new markets were getting
a good exposure of the cultural needs of various global markets. Recalling his
visit to the exhibition at the event, the Prime Minister remarked that he
visited many stalls and interacted with entrepreneurs. He also highlighted that
many participants shared their experiences of joining Bharat Tex last year.
They reported gaining new buyers on a large scale and expanding their business.
The Prime Minister remarked that this event is significantly boosting investments,
exports, and overall growth in the textile sector. Shri Modi urged the banking
sector to cater to the needs of the entrepreneurs from the textile sector to
help expand their business thereby creating employment and opportunities.
“Bharat
Tex showcases the cultural diversity of India through our traditional
garments”, remarked the Prime Minister. He added that from east to west, north
to south, India has a vast range of traditional attire. He highlighted various
types of garments, such as Lucknowi chikankari, bandhani from Rajasthan and
Gujarat, patola from Gujarat, Banarasi silk from Varanasi, Kanjivaram silk from
the south, and pashmina from Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister emphasized
that this is the right time for such events to promote the diversity and
uniqueness of our textile industry, fostering its growth.
Highlighting
that last year he discussed five factors for the textile industry: farm, fiber,
fabric, fashion, and foreign, Modi remarked that this vision is becoming a
mission for India, opening new growth avenues for farmers, weavers, designers,
and traders. “India saw a 7% increase in textile and apparel exports last year,
and now ranks as the sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparels in the
world”, he pointed out. He noted that India’s textile exports have reached ₹3
lakh crore, with a target to increase this to ₹9 lakh crore by 2030.
Emphasizing
that the success in the textile sector is the result of a decade of consistent
efforts and policies, the Prime Minister highlighted that foreign investment in
the textile sector has doubled over the last decade. “Textile industry is one
of the largest providers of employment opportunities in the country,
contributing 11% to India's manufacturing sector”, he added. He also pointed
out the Mission Manufacturing announced in this budget. He remarked that the
investments and growth in this sector are benefiting crores of textile workers.
Modi
underlined that addressing the challenges and realizing the potential of
India's textile sector is their commitment. He highlighted that the efforts and
policies over the last decade are reflected in this year's budget. He added
that to ensure a reliable cotton supply and make Indian cotton globally
competitive and to strengthen the value chain, the Mission for Cotton
Productivity was announced. The Prime Minister said there was focus on sunrise
sectors like technical textiles and promoting indigenous carbon fibre and its
products. He remarked that India is progressing towards manufacturing high-grade
carbon fibre. Furthermore, the Prime Minister mentioned that the necessary
policy decisions for the textile sector are being taken. He highlighted the
expansion of MSMEs' classification criteria and increased credit availability
in this year's budget. He also stressed that the textile sector, with 80%
contribution from MSMEs, will greatly benefit from these measures.
“Any
sector excels when it has a skilled workforce and skill plays a crucial role in
the textile industry”, exclaimed Modi. Adding that efforts were being made to
create a skilled talent pool, he highlighted the role of National Centres of
Excellence for skilling and mentioned that the Samarth scheme is aiding in
developing the necessary skills for the value chain. The Prime Minister
stressed the importance of maintaining the authenticity of handloom
craftsmanship in the age of technology. He highlighted the efforts to enhance
the skills and opportunities for handloom artisans, ensuring their products
reach global markets. “Over the past 10 years, more than 2400 large marketing
events have been organized to promote handlooms”, he added. He also mentioned
the creation of the India-hand-made e-commerce platform to boost online
marketing of handloom products, which has seen thousands of handloom brands
register. The Prime Minister pointed out the significant benefits of GI tagging
for handloom products.
Highlighting
that during the Bharat Tex event last year, the Textiles Startup Grand
Challenge was launched, inviting innovative sustainable solutions from the
youth for the textile sector, the Prime Minister noted that young participants
from across the country actively took part in this challenge, and the winners
have been invited to this event. He remarked that startups willing to support
these young innovators have also been invited. He acknowledged the support of
IIT Madras, Atal Innovation Mission, and several major private textile
organizations for the pitch fest, which will promote the startup culture in the
country. Shri Modi encouraged the youth to bring forward new techno-textile
startups and work on new ideas. He suggested that the textile industry could
collaborate with institutions like IITs to develop new tools. He observed that
the new generation is increasingly appreciating traditional attire alongside
modern fashion trends. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of fusing
tradition with innovation and launching products inspired by traditional
garments to attract the new generation globally. The Prime Minister also addressed
the growing role of technology in discovering new trends and creating new
styles, with AI playing a significant part. He mentioned that while traditional
khadi is being promoted, fashion trends are also being analyzed using AI. He
recounted the organization of a fashion show of Khadi Products in Porbandar,
Gujarat when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Shri Modi urged the
importance of promoting Khadi, remarking that it was ‘Khadi for nation’ during
our freedom struggle, but now it should be ‘Khadi for fashion’.
Sharing
that his recent visit to Paris, known as the fashion capital of the world,
where significant partnerships were formed between the two countries on various
issues, Shri Modi highlighted that discussions included topics on environment and
climate change, emphasizing the global understanding of the importance of a
sustainable lifestyle, which also impacts the fashion world. The Prime Minister
remarked, “the world is adopting the vision of Fashion for Environment and
Empowerment, and India can lead the way in this regard”. He pointed out that
sustainability has always been an integral part of Indian textiles tradition,
citing examples like khadi, tribal textiles, and the use of natural dyes. He
underlined that India's traditional sustainable techniques are now being
enhanced with cutting-edge technologies, benefiting artisans, weavers, and
millions of women associated with the industry.
The
Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maximizing resource utilization and
minimizing waste generation in the textile industry. He highlighted the issue
of "fast fashion waste," where millions of garments are discarded
monthly due to changing trends, posing significant environmental and ecological
threats. He noted that by 2030, fashion waste could reach 148 million tons,
with less than a quarter of textile waste being recycled today. Shri Modi
remarked that India's textile industry can turn this concern into an
opportunity, leveraging the country's diverse traditional skills in textile
recycling and up-cycling. He pointed out examples such as the creation of mats,
rugs, and coverings from old or leftover fabrics, and fine quilts made from
even torn clothes in Maharashtra. He emphasized that innovation in these
traditional arts can lead to global market opportunities. He announced that the
Textile Ministry has signed an MoU with the Standing Conference of Public
Enterprises and e-Marketplace to promote up-cycling, with many up-cyclers
already registered. Pilot projects for door-to-door collection of textile waste
are being conducted in cities like Navi Mumbai and Bangalore. The Prime
Minister encouraged startups to join these efforts, explore opportunities, and
take early steps to lead in the global market. He projected that India's
textile recycling market could reach $400 million in the next few years, while
the global recycled textile market is estimated to reach $7.5 billion. He
remarked that with the right direction, India could achieve a larger share in
this market.
Modi
remarked that centuries ago, when India was at the pinnacle of prosperity, the
textile industry played a significant role in that prosperity. He emphasized
that as India progresses towards the goal of becoming Viksit Bharat, the
textile sector will once again play a major role. The Prime Minister
highlighted that events like Bharat Tex are strengthening India's position in
this sector. He concluded his address by expressing confidence that this event
will continue to set new records of success and reach new heights each year.
Union
Minister for Textiles, Giriraj Singh and the Minister of state for Textiles,
Shri Pabitra Margherita were present on the occasion among other dignitaries.
Bharat
Tex 2025, a mega global event, being held from February 14-17 at Bharat Mandapam,
is unique because it brings together the entire textile value chain from raw
materials to finished products including accessories under one single roof.
Bharat Tex platform is the textile industry’s largest and
most comprehensive event comprising a mega expo spread across two venues and
showcasing the entire textile ecosystem. It also features a Global scale
conference featuring over 70 conference sessions, Roundtables, Panel
Discussions, and master classes. It includes exhibitions that shall feature
Special Innovation and Start up Pavilions. It also includes hackathons based
Startup Pitch Fest and innovation fests, Tech tanks and design challenges
providing funding opportunities for startups through leading investors.
Bharat Tex 2025 is expected to attract policymakers and
global CEOs, over 5000 Exhibitors, 6000 international buyers from over 120
countries among various other visitors. Over 25 Leading Global textile bodies
and associations from across the world including International Textile Manufacturers
Federation (ITMF), International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), EURATEX,
Textile Exchange, US Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) among others will
also participate.