Chinese delegation visits India to explore textile ties

16 Nov '13

2 min read

A 12-member Chinese delegation led by China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) president Wang Tiankai paid a four-day visit to India to explore opportunities for setting up joint ventures and increasing textile trade between the two countries.

During the visit, Mr. Tiankai told presspersons that there was a huge potential for exporting grey fabrics and made-ups, including home textiles, from the southern Indian region of Coimbatore to China.

He stressed on the need for greater discussions and to encourage Chinese investment in the Indian textile sector.

He said China would continue to import cotton yarn from India as the price gap would continue. Already till September this year, China has imported 450,000 tons of cotton yarn from India, registering a record 108 percent growth compared to the quantity imported last year.

Besides Coimbatore, the Chinese delegation also visited Delhi, Vadodara and Mumbai during their visit to know first-hand about the local situation.

Mr. Tiankai was of the opinion that both Indian and Chinese textile industries are witnessing rapid growth and these two countries must work together for further progress.

Although he would favour a 100 percent free trade policy with India, it is for both the Governments to decide, he said.

Mr. K Selvaraju, secretary general of Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) said around 40-50 percent of cotton exports from India are destined to China.

From January to September 2013, China imported 860,000 tons of cotton from India, according to Mr. Tiankai.

The delegation visited few woven and knitted fabric units in Coimbatore, and explored opportunities for setting up joint ventures in nonwovens and technical textiles, as the Indian Government is now giving priority to upgrading textile machinery and technical textiles.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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