Surat: MANTRA-Trained Entrepreneurs Build Textile Businesses Worth ₹120 Crore

SURAT: From trainees to textile entrepreneurs, more than 50 young people trained at Surat’s Integrated Textiles Apparel & Development Centres (ITADCs) have established their own industrial units, with their associated businesses reporting a combined turnover exceeding ₹120 crore.

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh interacted with these entrepreneurs at Surat Circuit House on October 10, seeking insights into their businesses, manufacturing activities and contribution to employment generation across the textile value chain.

The centres at Sachin and Pandesara are managed by the Man-Made Textile Research Association (MANTRA) under the Union Ministry of Textiles. The meeting followed an interaction on October 9, during which the minister learned about the achievements of the trainees-turned-entrepreneurs.

According to MANTRA, the entrepreneurs have established units spanning yarn spinning, weaving, fabric production and apparel manufacturing. The businesses vary considerably in scale, with reported annual turnovers ranging from approximately ₹2 crore to ₹200 crore. Individual units employ between four and more than 450 people.

The figures highlight how industry-oriented training can extend beyond preparing young people for jobs to helping them establish businesses and create employment for others.

Skill development drives entrepreneurship

The ITADCs provide practical training tailored to the requirements of the textile industry, helping trainees develop technical capabilities relevant to manufacturing and production.

During the interaction, Singh heard directly from the entrepreneurs about their business journeys, operations and workforce requirements. The engagement highlighted the potential of linking technical training with entrepreneurship and industrial growth.

Surat, one of India’s major textile manufacturing hubs, has a diverse ecosystem encompassing yarn, weaving, processing, fabrics and garments. The emergence of new entrepreneurs from skill-development programmes offers opportunities to strengthen this industrial network and expand employment across South Gujarat.

The achievements of the ITADC trainees underline the importance of combining hands-on training with industry exposure to help young people move from learning technical skills to building sustainable enterprises.

The turnover and employment figures were provided by MANTRA.