Surat Gets Textile Export Facilitation Center, Set to Become Global Fabric Hub

Surat | Gujarat — The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has gifted a ‘Textile Export Facilitation Center’, considered as a revolutionary move.  This step will give a new identity to Surat’s textile industry in the international market. 

The Central Government has selected six major textile clusters of the country on a pilot basis, in which only Surat has been selected from Gujarat. Surat will become a hub especially for ‘technical textiles’ and ‘man-made fiber articles’. Surat’s textiles will now directly make its mark in the global markets. With the center functioning under one roof, Surat’s economy will get a new momentum and new employment opportunities will emerge for lakhs of people.

Textile Export Facilitation Center will become the new ‘lifeline’ of Surat’s textile industry, said Ashoki Jirawala, Vice President of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and President of the Federation of Gujarat Weavers Association.

“India is moving towards becoming the third largest economy in the world, this export center of Surat will contribute to the country’s GDP. This is the biggest step in the history of Surat’s textile industry. For years, Surat has been supplying textiles to the country, but now through this facilitation center, Surat will emerge as a textile hub on the world map. Production will increase with double speed and as exports become easier, traders will get international prices. This center will prove to be a ‘game changer’ for Surat’s textile industry and will give impetus to the ‘Make in India’ campaign and is a step to make ‘Vocal for Local’ truly global” said Jirawala

He further said that currently Surat produces approximately 60 million meters of fabrics every day. With the provision of facilitation centers and export facilities, this production is expected to increase to 100 million to 120 million meters in the next five years, which will take Surat’s weaving industry to new heights. All the certifications and government processes required for exports will be completed under one roof. Surat’s estimated 40,000 small and large units will now focus on making export quality fabrics. Surat’s specialty fabrics, bed sheets, curtains and man-made fabrics will now adorn the showrooms of Europe, America and Gulf countries. The ‘Free Trade Agreement’ signed by India with various countries will directly benefit Surat’s small and big exporters.

Former SGCCI president Ashish Gujaratii said, “With the establishment of an Export Facilitation Center, there is a strong possibility of seeing an annual growth of 10 to 12 percent in Surat’s exports. The facilitation center will now allow even small industrialists to export very easily. One-window clearance and incentive policies will give them the strength to survive in the global competition. Surat’s textile industries will get a boost and in the coming time, Surat will become a global hub for home textiles and protective textiles.”