Jammu, Oct 7: Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India celebrated its 58th Establishment Day here today. Romesh Khajuria, Chairman, WWEPC was chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that it was a great day remembering the history of WWEPC’s prominent Indian business doyens, founding chairperson such as R.K.Birla, G.K. Singhania among others, a statement issued to Ziraat Times said.
“The council was established to look into the issues as well as hardships being faced by the manufacturer and exporters of woollen products during the early 60s when our country had just entered into the foreign trade and introduced domestic woollen products in the international market,” he said
Khajuria added that Minister of Commerce and Industry and Textiles Piyush Goel has recently signed FTA with Australia which enables Indian Importers to import raw wool at zero duty and revolutionized the industry.
“Australia is main market for import of raw wool with annual import of raw wool to the tune of Rs.900 Crores. I am glad to share that the export of woollen products from India has grown from Rs 19 crores in 1966-67 to Rs 5300 crores in 2021-22. This growth is a result of the combined efforts of WWEPC, Government, Manufacturing Sector and other stake holders. I sincerely thank the leaders of the woollen industry and government that made the above achievements possible,” he maintained.
He further said that production of wool in the country is not sufficient to meet the demands of the wool industry particularly for the apparel sector and most of it is being imported from Australia, New Zealand, China and many other countries. The present requirement of different segments of Indian woollen industry is likely to grow further because of higher domestic as well as export need of woollen items.
Demand for wool exceeds domestic production, since India produces a lot of value-added products that are exported.
India imported raw wool worth Rs. 1660 Crores (1,07,839 Tonnes) during 2021-22.
The total production of raw wool in India was 40 to 48 Million kgs approx. during the last decade.
Out of total wool produced in India, about 85% is carpet grade wool, 5% apparel grade and remaining 10% coarser grade wool for making rough blankets etc.
A small quantity of specialty fiber is obtained from Pashmina goats and Angora rabbits. India exports a wide variety of woollen products including wool top, yarn, fabric, blankets, garments, knitwear, sweaters, cardigans, pullovers, hosiery goods, socks, pashmina shawls, stoles, mufflers, clothing accessories, made-ups, carpets etc.
India exported woollen products worth Rs.5300 Crores during 2021-22 (excluding woollen carpets) and registered growth of 30% over the last year. The woollen yarn and articles of wool apparel & clothing accessories (both knitted and woven) are among India’s largest exported woollen products.
India exports wool and woollen products to more than 150 countries around the world. The major importing countries are USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Russia etc.
The Council also provides a unique opportunity and platform for exporters of woollen products to build business contacts with overseas importers & buyers by organising participation in international trade fairs/exhibitions/Buyer Seller Meets in India and abroad. WWEPC is organising 3rd India Fashion Tex – A Reverse Buyer Seller Meet in New Delhi and Export Award Function to complement the efforts of our member-exporters for their outstanding export performances during the years 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 during January 2023.
The Council is also organising Capacity Building Programmes for manufacturers and new entrepreneurs in all woollen clusters like Kashmir, Ladakh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Panipat, Bikaner, Tirupur and many more clusters.
Surender Sahni, from Marseille, France who joined the 58th Foundation Day celebrations online, was appreciative of the WWEPC’s export of products and shared his joy and happiness with all the business community who were all connected virtually.
