National Seminar on Technical Textile & Non-wovens Opportunities ...

and development of various sectors in technical textiles, and developmentof the nonwovens sector is a priority in this regard. A Center of Excellencefor Nonwovens (COEs) has been established at DKTE Institute ofTechnology in Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra during the 12 th Five Year Plan.10. This COE offers a variety of testing services, and hosts testinglaboratories, research and development facilities, resource center with ITinfrastructure, facilities for incubation activities and the indigenousdevelopment of prototypes, etc. The COE plays a significant role inenabling Indian industries to realize their potential in addressing demandand scaling attractive opportunities in each of the 12 technical textilesegments. With its wealth of experience and knowledge in the technicaltextile industry, this COE is a valuable resource center for industriesconsidering diversification into the Indian technical textiles sector.11. The Office of Textile Commissioner has also facilitated theestablishment of the Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA),an industry think tank that facilitates the usage and production of technicaltextiles in India by advising public policy initiatives, thereby helping theIndian industry become a key player in the international market. With itsinitiatives in organizing business meets with delegates from various

countries, ITTA is also an ideal forum for helping overseas and domesticcompanies in exploring the vast potential in India’s technical textile sector.12. I strongly believe that the private sector has a leading role to play inthe development of the national technical textile sector. I encourage eachof you to avail the several benefits that the Government of India offersplayers in the technical textile sector through initiatives, like TechnologyMission on Technical Textiles (TMTT), Technology Upgradation FundScheme (TUFS), Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP), IntegratedSkills Development Scheme (ISDS). My officers will elaborate on thedetails of each of these schemes later today.13. Today’s conference has brought academicians, manufacturers,entrepreneurs, international industries and other stakeholders of thetechnical textile value chain to a common platform to highlight the currenttrends in nonwoven and technical textiles. I encourage you all to participatein the ensuing seminar, identifying the investment opportunities that willdrive employment, efficiency, and product innovation in India’s nonwovenand technical textile sector.14. This conference is an occasion for each of the aforementionedstakeholders to optimize on the significant opportunities along the length

and breadth of the technical textile value chain. Raw material suppliers candevelop linkages with manufacturers present, while new entrants into theindustry can learn of developments and new technologies fromacademicians and leading industry experts.15. I look forward to further indepth interactions with academia in thedays to come. I would like industries to take the initiative in establishingtechnical textile parks under SITP. I also look forward to better synergieswith MSME and other related departments. We should organize moreawareness workshops and work closely with user departments.16. Government of India is currently initiating efforts to promote use oftechnical textiles in North East, but greater awareness needs to begenerated pan-India.17. I hope that these discussions will lead to the formulation of smallfocus groups that will outline concrete and practicable actions for theholistic development of each subsegment of this sector in India. I assureyou that the COEs for technical textile, Ministry of Textiles, and Office ofTextile Commissioner will in turn extend their full support in realizing theimplementation of these plans.18. India’s healthy and growing trade in nonwovens and technical textilesdemonstrates a wealth of emerging opportunities in this sector. I am

confident that the technical textile industry in India will experience rapidgrowth, and so enable our country to earn global recognition in this sector,as it has in so many other technology-focused fields. I invite you all toparticipate in this growth, and wish this conference great success.19. Thank you*****