West Bengal to focus on five textile sub-sectors

The government and industry leaders of the Indian state of West Bengal have zeroed in on five sub-sectors of the textile value chain. The state is among the top producers in these segments, which will receive a boost in the form of government help. The five sub-sectors are hosiery and innerwear, linen, workwear, textiles machinery, and technical textiles.

Of the five segments, textiles machinery manufacturing could also lead to substantial import substitution and save precious foreign exchange for the country.

“India imports almost all the textiles machinery it needs and so we are looking at developing this industry in the state,” said West Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra during his visit to Mumbai to attract investment in the state’s textile sector.

During his interaction with top industry leaders, including Futures Group head Kishore Biyani, Mitra received commitments from some of India’s leading textile manufacturers to widen their operations in and around Kolkata.

If the neighbouring Bangladesh could progress to become a top supplier of apparel, there is no reason why West Bengal could not do the same, said Biyani during the meeting of Mitra with textile industry leaders.

Mitra, who also holds the industries and commerce portfolios, said West Bengal has some advantage in the labour-intensive textile sector due to availability of a large number of skilled personnel.