Source India programme to take Surati fabrics global

Government of India and the Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) for the first time have zeroed in on Surat’s textile industry to promote its fabrics as an emerging brand. A two-day long buyer-seller meet will be organized under the ‘Source India’ programme from August 13 in the Diamond city Surat which is also the country’s largest man-made fabric (MMF) industry.

Over 100 fabric importers and garment manufacturers from across West Asia, Africa and South America will come down to the Diamond City for direct sourcing of fabrics manufactured in Surat.

Surat has emerged as a leading centre of production of synthetic fabrics, especially polyester filament fabrics. The daily production of fabrics is pegged at 4 crore meters.

SRTEPC officials said that around 35 percent of fabrics manufactured in Surat go into manufacturing of garments of men, kids and women. Most of the fabrics are supplied to buyers in Delhi, from where they are supplied to garment manufacturers across the country and even abroad.

SRTEPC vice-chairman Narain Aggarwal said that the two-day buyer-seller meet will provide an international platform to Surti entrepreneurs. The fabrics manufactured in Surat reach international market via different channels. This is the first time that importers and garment manufactures from across the world are coming to Surat to deal directly with the fabric manufacturers here.

Aggarwal further added that the Government of India will be sponsoring around 100 importers and garment manufacturers from around the world under the market access initiative (MAI) scheme. Top fabric manufacturers including Reliance, Grasim and Garden will also be participating in the programme.

According to sources, the ‘Source India’ programme was first held in Mumbai in 2010. Surat is the second centre being selected for the event.