The High Level Committee on Manufacturing chaired by the Prime Minister has decided that the apparel & garments sector which is a high employment generating sector will be given high priority.

The Committee at meeting yesterday decided that specific policies to encourage the sector would be put in place with high priority in plan allocations for this sector.

It highlighted that adequate supply of fibre is essential for the long term growth of the textiles and garment industry. And for this purpose, an expert committee would be constituted to prepare a comprehensive long term fibre policy covering both cotton and manmade fibres.

The industry is expected to grow at an average rate of 16%. Already there are signs of shortage of skilled manpower. It was decided that a major skill training programme be taken up immediately to meet the short fall.

The textile Industry is expected to grow substantially over the next few decades. It would require large-scale textile machinery . Currently there is a shortage in supply of textile machinery which is also impeding the growth of textile & garments sector. Therefore, it has been decided to set up a working group to look into the issues relating to the development of textile machinery and make recommendations.

Technical textiles which includes Agrotech, Geotech, Autotech, Buildtech, etc , is an important area with high growth potential and also for exports. India has been lagging behind in this area. The HLCM decided that the recommendations of the expert committee report which is already available would be implemented on a priority basis with in six months.

The two important schemes viz - Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) and the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) would be continued and provided with adequate funds in the 11th Plan to ensure robust growth of the textile and Garments sector.