Garment industry for sops to spur growth

Garment industry for sops to spur growth
STATES BUREAU/Financial Express, India

AHMEDABAD, JULY 28: Ahmedabad may regain its status as Manchester of India if the state government gives some relief in terms of taxation and makes some much-needed policy changes.Speaking to media persons here, Gujarat Garment Manufacturers Association (GGMA) president Sunil Gandhi said, “Though the garment industry in Gujarat is moving ahead, it can achieve notable growth and can be the leader among states if some policy level changes are made.”

Terming policy level decisions and taxation as the major impediment to the growth of the industry in the state, Gandhi said, “For the growth of garment industry, particularly Ahmedabad, the government polices need to be streamlined. In addition to this, higher taxes like value added tax (Vat) and octroi are a matter of concern for the industry.”

Besides, he called for a need to develop a garment park for catering to the needs of domestic markets. “We have already made various representations to the state government for setting up such park. We had identified a place in Ahmedabad, but the government chose to set up an apparel park for exporters,” he said adding, “We need a garment park and that too, within the octroi limits of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation as we can not afford to have such facility far away from the city.

He claimed Gujarat ranked fourth in garment production after Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. According to the details provided by him, turnover of garment industry is Gujarat is estimated to be Rs 300-400 crore, while the total turnover of the industry all over the country is Rs 20,000 crore.

Gandhi said, “ Almost 80% of cotton shirting and garments are made in Gujarat. As for raw materials for the garment industry, Gujarat consumes only 10% of the total raw materials produced in the state, while the rest is supplied to various state”.