The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) has appealed to the State Government to bring down the VAT rate from 5 percent to 2 percent, as they are gearing up to conduct TexFair 2015 and the second edition of SIMA Farm to Finish between January 9 and 12 at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex here.

SIMA Chairman T Rajkumar said that the association had met the State Finance Minister and Secretary in this regard and they were ensured that their request would be considered on a trial basis initially before regularising it.

The organisers are hoping that there would be over 200+ stalls, right from cotton farm to finishing, textile machinery, spares, accessories and so on. National seminars are also being proposed on the sidelines of the event.

Over 70 percent of the stalls for the ensuing fair have already been booked, the SIMA Chief said.