Apparel Online India Magazine March 1st Issue 2019 | Page 11

MIND TREE through official data or industry representation or any other source… In fact irrespective of our industry gets any support, we should welcome such incentives. R Sabhari Girish, CEO, Award Associates, Tirupur Next to agriculture, textile & apparel sector is considered to be the largest employment provider. This sector should always be looked as the breadwinner for the semi- skilled workforce. The apparel industry is just sailing out of troubled waters and incentives should be provided to this segment as it can create huge employment. It is very easy and quick to skill someone to get employed in this industry to earn their better living. It is good to note that subsidy on industrial machinery procurement; subsidy for implementing lean productivity; subsidy on digital marketing and quality certification are being revived. Support like duty drawback was the immediate relief helping the exporters to survive but at the same time, many members of WTO are pressurising India to not provide any incentives to the exporters. The incentives can be provided in other forms not contradicting the terms of WTO. 1. Interest subvention is a good option (but the exporters who work with their own fund will not be getting this benefit). 2. The statutory benefits like ESI and PF are the biggest botheration for the exporters, that too in the current climate when almost all buyers are insisting on NEXT MINDTREE QUESTION Time and again it has been said that ‘our industry needs to change the mindset’ in order to become more competitive and get orders from renowned buyers. Being a stakeholder of the textile or apparel industry, how do you see this? As an individual, have you changed your mindset; or feel that it is not required? Do we need to see this from a different perspective, like adopting and learning new methods, systems and upgrading technology is always a continuous process? ethical compliance. In this situation, the contribution towards ESI & PF by the exporters should be removed; or the Government can pay the same on behalf of the exporters, which might not come under the perview of incentive. Moreover, the Government should work very closely with countries like EU, Canada and UK to sign FTA without sacrificing the country’s interest. This can help us to be more competitive. POST YOUR COMMENTS www.apparelresources.com [email protected] www.apparelresources.com | MARCH 1-15, 2019 | Apparel Online India 11