Apparel March 2020 Apparel March 2020 issue | Page 32

70TH NGF SPECIAL
WE DON'T NEED THE CLOTHING
SPACE SUBSIDISED. INSTEAD
WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE
CHALLENGES THIS INDUSTRY
IS FACING AND MAKE IT MORE
COMPETITIVE
and celebrations, the change in our outlook
and our sensibilities has led to the consumers
adopting the Western calendar. This shift from
the traditional calendar has not fared well with
the Indian industry. Hence, CMAI is trying to
propose new ideas so as to adopt calendars
and models that are more India-centric. I think
this new change could help address some of the
discounting challenges we are facing today.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE UNION
BUDGET 2020–21?
Investments in this sector need to increase. The
textile industry is the second largest employer
in the country and we need more reforms
to bring about its holistic growth. I think it is
time that the Government considers about
increasing consumption. I hope that some of
the measures introduced by the Government
will instil confidence in people and help improve
consumption. This will ultimately help the entire
industry.
THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS ONE OF
THE LARGEST POLLUTERS OF OUR
ENVIRONMENT. IT ALSO HAS LABOUR
ISSUES. HOW CAN THE PRODUCTION
LINE BE MADE MORE SUSTAINABLE
AND ETHICAL?
CMAI has been working on an initiative called
SU.RE for sustainable fashion. The idea is to
create a larger sense of awareness among
manufacturers and members so that they
create more environment-friendly clothing and
technologies that can be used for the same. The
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I APPAREL I
March 2020
challenge however, is that our cost of capital is
higher and this requires new investments. It may
take some time but we have begun to create
awareness.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE
FORTHCOMING FAIRS?
The Autumn Winter or festive fair that happens
in July is already the largest of its kind with
almost 65,000 square metres of gross area
and over 1,000 participating brands. While we
have space constraints, we are working with
members to try and make the coming edition
larger and better. CMAI is also conducting a
Vendor-sourcing fair—that starts in April this
year— which is about targeting a new set of
manufacturers and introducing them to larger,
existing manufacturers and brand-owners
who are looking at OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) partners. We are also in talks with
the Government about other areas in which
more exhibitions and networking opportunities
can be created.
DO YOU THINK INDIVIDUAL APPAREL
SPACES SHOULD BE DIRECTLY UNDER
THE GOVERNMENT’S AEGIS OR
SHOULD IT FOLLOW A FREE-MARKET
APPROACH?
I don’t think we need the clothing space
subsidised. Instead we need to address the
challenges the industry is facing and let it be as
competitive as possible. And I am sure that with
the kind of talent we have in the industry, it can
flourish beyond measure.