Odisha highlights advantages in textiles, apparel sector

Bhubaneswar: Industry Minister Dibya Sankar Mishra on Friday highlighted the unique competitive advantages of the State for textiles and apparel investments.

He participated in Invest India Exclusive Investment Forum for Textiles and Apparel Sector on Friday. 

Industry secretary Hemant Sharma and IPICOL managing director Nitin Jawale also participated in the event.

The event saw registrations from nearly 300 global textiles and apparel companies.

The Minister highlighted the maritime history of Odisha and unique competitive advantages of the State for textiles and apparel investments.

He informed the participants that textiles and apparel manufacturing is one of the focus sectors of the State and companies such as Aditya Birla Fashion, Shahi Exports, and several others have already set up their manufacturing base in the State.

The Minister also highlighted the abundant availability of well-recognized skilled labour force for the sector at one of the most competitive wage rates in the State.

He informed the participants regarding the strong logistics base in the State for facilitating export-imports through Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur ports.

Hemant Sharma made a presentation showcasing the investment opportunities in the State.

He informed the participants that new world-class infrastructure facilities are being developed in the State including Technical Textiles Park at Bhadrak, Odisha Textiles Park at Dhamra and proposed Garments & Apparel Park at Malipada.

With these new infrastructure facilities, there are brighter-than-ever prospects for textiles and apparel industry.

Also, he talked about the GO SWIFT portal of Industries dept being identified as the best Single Window system by Govt of India.

Jayarajan K R, Head of Manufacturing, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd shared experience of the company’s investment journey in the State with the participants.

During the event, officials from Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Punjab and Tamil Nadu also highlighted the investment opportunities in the respective States.