Time for Indian products to be the best in quality in the world: Piyush Goyal

Mumbai : Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Textiles, Commerce and Industry while speaking at the Export Awards function organised by the Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) in Mumbai stated that the time is ripe for the Indian products to be best in quality in the world.

According to Goyal, about 2,000 products will come under Quality Control soon and there is a need to stop using low-quality products and increase the scale of focus on quality.

In a speech to the industry, the Commerce and Industry and Textiles Minister stated that we must study each Free Trade Agreement and better understand the needs of other countries. “Export Promotion Councils should establish offices in other countries, such as Dubai. We need to think outside the box.”

The Minister told the industry that we must pay close attention to quality. “The time has come for us to have the best quality in the world. This is what consumers in India and around the world want. The days of producing two types of quality – domestic quality and export quality – are over. Soon, 2,000 products will be subjected to Quality Control. We must discontinue the use of low-quality products. We need to expand our scale and focus on quality.”

The Minister asked the industry to advise the government on which products require Quality Control Orders. “If you participate actively in consultations, we will get the right quality of products. At the same time, this should not result in an irrational cost increase. Quality standards must evolve. Please let us know if the domestic industry suffers for any reason; we are on your side.”

The Minister congratulated the award winners, saying that they are truly serving the nation and that the award is only a token of their efforts.

The Minister urged the industry to submit proposals for collaborative research projects, develop new innovations, and enter new markets. “I request that the industry benefit from the National Technical Textiles Mission and accelerate the industry’s growth.” He urged the industry to use Samarth (Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector) to improve the industry’s skill levels.

The Commerce and Industry Minister stated that the world’s trust and importance in India demonstrate that we are a bright spot in the global economy. “Without India, future global economic growth is impossible. The opportunity we have today is extremely rare. The stars are aligning for us to succeed; it is up to us to seize the opportunity. I have complete faith in SRTEPC to complete this mission successfully.”

The Minister noted that, for the first time, the Prime Minister met with Export Promotion Councils to discuss the way forward, including export targets. “Following last year’s record exports, we are confident of exceeding 750 billion dollars in exports this year, based on figures available to date.” The Minister stated that it is a source of pride for us that we will meet this target despite global headwinds.

According to the Minister, unlike sports such as cricket, the state of business and industry is now such that the paradigm is one of win-win. “The Trade Agreement between India and Australia is a unity agreement, the two economies are very complementary. While Australia imports the majority of its manufactured goods, it provides many of our raw materials, such as critical minerals. Because the market for lithium and other rare earths and minerals is expanding, there is an investment opportunity.”

Despite the world’s worst health crisis of COVID-19, India assured that no one had to suffer from hunger, thanks to the government scheme for distributing free food grains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the Minister observed. “People are today moving fast from poverty to middle class; our farmers’ incomes are improving, productivity is rising, they are getting good prices too. Rainfall is also adequate for many years.”

During the pandemic, the Jan Dhan – Aadhaar – Mobile JAM Trinity enabled the country to perform Direct Benefit Transfer, according to the Commerce and Industry Minister. “Now, under One Nation One Ration Card, you can obtain your ration from any ration shop in the country. There is no need to be concerned about pilferage or theft because the entire system has been digitised.”

Balkrishnan Goenka, Chairperson of the Welspun Group, received the Exemplary Award from the Minister.

Dhiraj Raichand Shah, Chairperson of SRTEPC, stated that despite the global position of business, the members of SRTEPC have performed well. Concerning the need to increase exports, the Chairperson stated that the industry must work harder, focus more on R&D, and increase exports by at least 20% next year. He emphasised that the government is responsive to the industry and works to solve problems. “If we go together in the interest of the industry, then we will all benefit. Given how the government has operated over the last eight years, the time has come for us to learn from the government rather than the private sector. The government is prepared to do whatever is necessary to promote exports, such as the PLI scheme.”

SRTEPC Immediate Past Chairperson Ronak Rughani stated that this is the first time in the organization’s history that the Commerce and Industry Minister has presented awards to SRTEPC Export Award winners. He thanked the government for its years of assistance to the Council and the industry.