The share of technical textiles in all forms of textiles world over is 18.70% whereas the share of technical textiles in India is 11.43%.

The Government of India, Ministry of Textiles has taken several steps for the growth and development of technical textiles by which the share of Indian technical textiles will improve. Some of the main steps are as follows:

- Scheme for Growth and Development of Technical Textiles (SGDTT): This scheme was launched for tapping the potential of technical textiles and to encourage investments in this industry, during the year 2007-08 with an outlay of Rs. 46.60 crore. It had three components namely Baseline Survey, Creation of Awareness and Setting up of four Centres of Excellence. . The scheme completed its tenure in the year 2010-2011.

- Technology Mission on Technical Textiles (TMTT): Government has launched the Technology Mission on Technical Textiles with two Mini Missions for five years starting from the year 2010-11 with an outlay of Rs. 200 crore. The main objectives of the scheme include standardization, creating common testing facilities with national / international accreditation, indigenous development of prototypes and resource center with I.T. infrastructure and support for domestic & export market development of technical textiles etc.

- Formulation of special schemes for the North East Region for demonstrating improvement in agriculture & infrastructure through the increased usage and promotion of Agro and Geo Technical Textiles, respectively.

-Major machinery for manufacture of technical textiles has been covered under Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) with 10% capital subsidy in addition to 5% interest reimbursement to the specified technical textile machinery.

- Under the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP), the Government provides assistance for creation of infrastructure in the parks to the extent of 40% limited to Rs.40 crore in which technical textile units can also benefit.

- The major machinery for production of technical textiles is covered in the concessional customs duty list of 5%.

- Specified technical textile products are covered under Focus Product Scheme. Under this scheme, exports of these products are entitled for duty credit scrip equivalent to 2% of FOB value of exports.

The information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.