In light of the goal to increase India's textile and apparel exports to 100 billion US dollars by 2030, the Ministry of Textiles organized a 'National Consultative Textile Summit' on June 23 and 24, 2026, at the NASC Complex, ICAR in New Delhi. Various stakeholders from the textile industry participated in this national-level conference.
Ashok Jirawala, president of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), was invited to present his suggestions and views as an industry representative. Addressing the conference online, Ashok Jirawala emphasized the need to focus on the man-made fiber (MMF) based textile sector for rapid growth in India's textile exports in the coming years. He noted that MMF accounts for approximately 70 percent of total fiber consumption globally, while the Indian textile industry is still primarily based on natural fibers.
The SGCCI president presented several important suggestions to the Ministry of Textiles. He proposed establishing a national MMF fabric data bank and library in Surat, where samples, manufacturing techniques, uses, and global market information related to MMF fabrics could be available. Additionally, he suggested developing a national standard and certification system for the use of recycled polyester and other MMF fibers, preparing a national strategy to increase India's MMF production capacity to at least 50 percent of China's capacity, and establishing a world-class plant in Surat for the chemical recycling of post-consumer polyester garments.
He also highlighted the need to develop AI-based fashion forecasting software for MSME and SME units, publish annual reports based on HSN regarding the demand for MMF products in countries with free trade agreements (FTAs), and create a national ranking system for Indian MMF manufacturers. Ashok Jirawala stated that Surat is a major textile hub in the country, where the entire value chain of the MMF industry—fiber, yarn, weaving, knitting, processing, embroidery, garmenting, and export—is available in one city. Therefore, if the proposed national MMF fabric library and data bank is established in Surat, it could become a major center for research, innovation, and product development for the entire country.
The SGCCI president expressed confidence that if the steps suggested by the central government are implemented, Surat alone could contribute an additional 10 to 15 billion US dollars annually to textile and apparel exports, significantly aiding in achieving India's export target of 100 billion dollars by 2030. Finally, the SGCCI appreciated the Ministry of Textiles for organizing a comprehensive consultation process by bringing together industry representatives from across the country and commended the ministry for including industry suggestions in policy-making in the future.
Publish with Us: Wish to feature your personal or organizational milestones, success stories, or press releases in Loktej English? Contact us, and we will guide you through our publication process.
Feedback & Corrections: We strive for accuracy. If you spot an error, have feedback, or object to the content of this article/press release, please notify us at loktejonline [at] gmail [dot] com. We will review the matter and rectify it at the earliest.
