Mumbai, 13th October 2011 - “Ministry of textiles has allocated 1972 crores under the Textile up-gradation Fund scheme and until 5th October 2011, only 78 crores has been disbursed”, mentioned Shri S. Balaraju, Joint Textile commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India while innaugurating the FICCI TAG 2011, 4th National Conference held in Mumbai.
He also stated that the Ministry of Textiles has drafted the National Fiber Policy and the Common Compliance Code which aims to make India the Global benchmark for social compliance in apparel manufacturing and exports. Shri. S. Balaraju also released the FICCI Technopak knowledge paper which brought out key issues of the Sustainability models.
Focusing on Sustainability was the theme at this year's conference. The conference was divided in the four sessions; Sustainability: an option or a necessity, Profitability and Sustainability : Complementing each other, pillars of Sustainability and Inclusive Growth : Environmental, Social and Economic and sustainability by choice : Outcome and way forward.
Mr. Premal Udani, Chairman, FICCI Apparel Committee said that “sustainability should not be forced, nor should arise out of regulation but through voluntary compliance and commitment”. He added that as the economic downturn has dented the pockets of end users, it has not dented their aspirations for better planet. He also urged companies to take concrete steps towards achieving this goal not by force but by proactive measures. “AEPC has planned to conduct a Reach Seminar to educate the market” he also informed us about the OXFAM initiative to train the industry for sustainability.
While making the theme presentation Mr. Arindam Saha from Technopak gave snapshots of the key findings and said ‘’There is a need to take advantage of today’s web and social media to promote and create an awareness about sustainability’’. Earlier Mr. Manoj Patodia, EC Member of FICCI & VC & MD Prime Urban welcomed the gathering.
FICCI TAG 2011 Conference was supported by the office of Textile Commissioner Ministry of Textiles Govt. of India, Alok Industries Ltd, Pratibha Syntax Ltd., Textile Committee, Polygenta, Mandhana, Hohenstein Institute, ECGC and DBS Bank among others.
