Knitwear exporters laud CEPA with Canada

Modi made the statement at a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa. Canadian Prime Minister also expressed commitment to resolve the many issues in implementing free trade with India.

TEA president A Sakthivel said the conclusion of CEPA would provide a good opportunity in future to boost India’s apparel exports to Canada.

In presence of Modi, Sakthivel, who is also chairman of Apparel Made ups and Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council functioning under National Skill Development Council (NSDC), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bruce Wilson, president, Fanshawe College, Ontario, Canada.

As per the MoU, Fanshawe College will help to impart training with modern quality methods to Indian trainers and in turn they would give training with new concepts to workers employed in the apparel, made ups and home furnishing sectors in the country, Sakthivel said in a TEA press release.

Stating that the man behind the machine is more important than machine itself, Sakthivel pointed out that at this juncture, the skill enhancement is most necessary to apparel sector mainly to reduce the rejection percentage significantly.

He further added that imparting quality training with latest concepts would help to enhance workers’ productivity level, which is currently lower in India compared to its competing countries.

In 2013 -14, the total knitwear garments exports from India to Canada stood at Rs 680 crore, with Canada being the 11^th biggest destination for Indian knitwear exports. In the first ten months of last financial year 2014-15, Indian knitwear exports to Canada were valued at Rs 565 crore.

At present, Bangladesh and Cambodia enjoy least developed countries tariff while exporting to Canada. Other competing countries like Pakistan and Vietnam are getting benefit under General Preferential Tariff. Post-CEPA, India can look forward to effectively compete and increase its market share in the Canadian market. (RKS)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India