GUWAHATI, June 13 - Assam is collaborating with the Union Ministry of Textiles in organising a mega international event � Textiles India 2017 � taking Indian textiles to the global arena with major focus on attracting foreign buyers, showcasing India�s strength in the textile sector.
The textiles fair will be held from June 30 to July 2, 2017 at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat and is scheduled to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Assam, as one of the two partner States for the event, would be promoting eri as the Ahimsa (non-violence) silk and the world famous muga (golden silk) apart from a range of other handloom and handicraft items.
Addressing the media here, Subrata Gupta, Joint Secretary (Export), Ministry of Textiles stated that as a partnering State for the event, the silk and other items of Assam would get significant exposure in all components of the event including the promos, business to business meetings, conferences etc.
�The event is getting a magnificent response and till now, 1838 foreign buyers have registered for the same from all over the world. More than 87 countries are likely to participate in the mega event,� Gupta added.
Andhra Pradesh is another partner State for the event and Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Karnataka would be the focus States for the exhibition.
It may be noted that Indian textile sector has both richness and variety to offer, to the international market. Moreover, the country has a strong presence in the entire gamut of textile and apparel value chain, from fibre to fashion.
Nearly 1300 exhibitors will showcase their products and services to more than 2,500 international buyers and more than 15,000 domestic buyers.
�Producing 99 per cent of the world's muga silk and 92 per cent of the eri silk, Assam would mainly be promoting its silk and other natural fibres. Eri production, which does not involve killing of the silkworms, would be promoted with a USP of �Ahimsa Silk,� Mukti Gogoi, Commissioner and Secretary, of the State Department of Handloom, Textile and Sericulture told the media.
The silk sector, through the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC) will have a larger display in an area of around 1350 square metres in Textile India venue at the Mahatma Mandir as one of the major product categories. ISEPC will have the participation of more than 100 member exporters with best of silk and other allied silk products from all parts of the country. The total exhibition area for the event is 125,000 square meters.
�From Assam, seven entrepreneurs having experience of exporting have been shortlisted to take part in the fair. This apart, the products from the Northeast will have a thematic display at the venue,� Jesmina Zeliang, regional convener, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), Northeast Region, stated.
