Guwahati to host two-day National conference of Textile ministers

A two-day National Conference of Textile Ministers will be held in Guwahati from Thursday with the theme “India’s Textiles: Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation” , aimed at shaping a collaborative roadmap to position India as a globally competitive textiles manufacturing hub while preserving its rich cultural heritage.

Organised by the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with the Assam government , the conference will bring together Union and state textiles ministers, senior officials from the Centre and states, and key stakeholders to deliberate on policy alignment, investment strategies and regional development of the sector.

The discussions are aligned with the national vision of building a USD 350 billion textile industry and achieving USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030 . At present, India’s textiles and apparel sector is valued at around USD 165-170 billion , with exports standing at approximately USD 44-45 billion annually . The sector contributes about 2.3 per cent to India’s GDP , accounts for nearly 13 per cent of industrial production, and generates around 12 per cent of the country’s export earnings, underlining the scale of growth required to meet the 2030 targets.

The sector is also one of India’s largest employers, providing direct and indirect employment to over 45 million people , making it a critical engine of inclusive growth, particularly for women and rural households. Government estimates suggest that every ₹1 crore invested in textiles generates higher employment compared to most other manufacturing sectors.

The inaugural session will be attended by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh , Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma , and Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita , among others.

Conference sessions will focus on infrastructure development, attracting investments, export expansion, competitiveness, raw material security and fibre diversification, as well as emerging areas such as technical textiles, research and innovation. Special emphasis will be placed on revitalising traditional textiles, including handloom and handicrafts, to meet modern market demands.

Delegates are expected to share best practices, regional challenges and policy suggestions aimed at strengthening the textile value chain across districts and states.

The conference will also review the impact of key government initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles , which targets man-made fibres and technical textiles, the PM MITRA Parks scheme for integrated textile infrastructure, and schemes like SAMARTH for skill development and National Handloom Development Programme to support artisans.

A special conclave titled “Strengthening and Empowering the Textiles Sector of the North-Eastern Region of India” will be held on the first day. It will focus on the region’s strengths in silk, handloom and bamboo-based textiles , promotion of women-led enterprises , and branding ‘Textiles from North-East’ to integrate local producers with national and global value chains.