“Talking to media persons here on Friday, he said that before opening global markets, the country used to export textile products worth $ 13 billion. “But now, the country is exporting textile products worth $ 17 billion,” he said. He was here to participate in a workshop on ‘Banarsi Sari and Geographical Indications (GIs),’ organised by Human Welfare Association.  . ““There is an increase in the export of textile items and more focus is needed,” he said.  There was need to promote Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in textile and clothing industry, he added .He said that there was less number of FDI in the textile industry and efforts should be done to lure the foreign investment in this sector. He further said that Textile Ministry planned to establish 25 textile parks at different places in the country to promote this industry .Nayak said that there was a lot of demand for Indian cotton  products in foreign countries but unfortunately, it was difficult for the Indian textile and clothing sector to fulfill the demands of foreign countries .He said that 95 per cent of textile industries belonged to unorganized sector .There were several traditional textile and clothing industries like Lucknow chikan, Banarsi sari, Bhadohi carpet which should  get proper protection and promotion, he said .Source: Hindustan Times .

Date:5/14/2006

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