2004 Named Indian Textile Year
Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, India’s union minister for textiles, has announced the dedication of
2004 as “The Indian Textile Year.” 2004 marks an important milestone for the Indian textile
industry with the abolition of the multi-fabric agreement, which opens the door to textile
exports.Hussain said the Indian government will take all appropriate measures to boost Indian
textiles in the world market. Moreover, an India Fashion Week will be held this winter to create an
“India”brand.The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will organize the event, with
participants expected from the apparel, silk, handloom and man-made textile sectors, according to
Hussain.“[The India Fashion Week will] create opportunity for the Indian textile sector to grab
more pie in the world market,”he added.India’s textile exports amount to about 600 billion Indian
rupees (approximately $13 billion) per year, contributing to about 30 percent of the country’s
total exports and generating employment for nearly 100 million people.
Winter 2003