Salil Chawla, Director of DFU Publications, caught up with Rakesh Kumar, Director General of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts and Chairman of India Exposition Mart Limited, on the sidelines of today’s event to announce a strategic partnership between GTE and IEML, Noida.
“I’m truly delighted to share the news of this strategic collaboration with GTE Expo,” Rakesh Kumar shared. “This partnership is aimed at expanding GTE’s footprint across India. We’re planning shows not just in Delhi, but also in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.”
He emphasized that the collaboration would deliver immense value to stakeholders while offering a fresh vision for India’s garment technology industry.
On India's Potential in Machinery Manufacturing
During the interaction, a significant point raised in Kumar’s presentation was India’s potential to enter the textile machinery manufacturing sector.
“We strongly believe India must step into machinery manufacturing,” he explained. “It aligns with the Government of India’s vision and is essential for self-reliance. With a strong domestic user base already in place, manufacturing here makes strategic sense.”
Mr. Kumar also acknowledged the complex ecosystems that have propelled countries like South Korea and Japan to the forefront of machinery manufacturing.
“It’s not merely about assembly. It’s a sophisticated network of R&D, specialized components, supply chains, and policy support. The strength of allied sectors—like high-grade materials, precision components, and advanced electronics—is what sets them apart.”
He further noted that initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme could play a key role in supporting this shift.
“Schemes like PLI have proven beneficial in other sectors. If extended thoughtfully, they could offer substantial support to machinery manufacturing as well.”
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