Surat, December 9 : The Textile Festival organized by the Global Fabric Resource and Research Center (GFRRC) of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) concluded on Monday, December 8. The event, which commenced on December 1, was held at Samruddhi in Nanpura. On the final day of the festival, Chairman of the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) Santosh Kataria and Mentor Rahul Mehta were present as the keynote speaker and chief guest, respectively.
In his welcome address, Chamber President Nikhil Madrasi highlighted that the textile sector in Surat is progressing rapidly despite various challenges. He noted that while there has been significant development in the fabric segment, the garment sector still holds immense potential. It was observed, as per agency report, that the primary focus of the concluding session was to analyze the gaps and opportunities within the local industry to transition towards garment manufacturing.
CMAI Chairman Santosh Kataria stated that there is no unique platform like Surat anywhere else in India, describing it as a ready platform for the garment industry. He pointed out that the city is equipped with every necessary facility to expand the garment industry, including labor, raw materials, logistics, and infrastructure. However, he expressed surprise that despite the availability of these resources, the garment sector in the region has not witnessed the expected level of development.
Kataria provided detailed guidance on new sales channels such as e-commerce, Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBO), CMAI B2B platforms, and front-end marketing. He emphasized that once a brand is created, social media can be utilized to rapidly expand its reach across the country.
CMAI Mentor Rahul Mehta remarked that textiles serve as the raw material for garments, and therefore, both the textile and garment sectors must move forward in unison. He suggested that if Surat advances in value addition, it will open up immense possibilities. He clarified that the intention is not to abandon textiles but to prioritize diversification for expansion. Mehta urged the industry to encourage the new generation to venture into the garment sector and stressed the importance of adopting productivity measures, technology, and modern production processes.
The program was attended by several industrialists and professionals, including the Chamber's Honorary Treasurer CA Mitesh Modi and former Presidents Mahendra Kajiwala and Indravadan. The session was moderated by GFRRC Co-chairman Atul Patel. The festival concluded after the experts addressed queries raised by the audience.
