India working on creating skilled talent pool for textile sector: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he is optimistic that the textile sector will achieve the Rs 9 lakh crore annual exports target ahead of the 2030 deadline. This assumes significance in view of the General Budget 2025 announcement of a five-year Cotton Mission to increase cotton productivity especially of extra-long staple varieties.It allocated Rs 500 crore for the National Cotton Technology Mission.Speaking at the Bharat Tex 2025, Modi said, "We are currently ranked as the 6th largest exporter of textiles and apparel in the world, with textile exports valued at approximately Rs 3 lakh crore. Our goal moving forward is to triple this figure and achieve exports worth Rs 9 lakh crore.

#WATCH | Delhi | At Bharat Tex 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "You all know that textile is one of the most important industries in the country that provides employment opportunities. This sector is contributing 11% to India's manufacturing, and this time, you must have… pic.twitter.com/IgMdFF6ycz

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025

The Prime Minister outlined his 5F vision for the textile sector encompassing -- farm to fibre; fibre to factory; factory to fashion; fashion to foreign. This vision is creating new opportunities for farmers, weavers, designers, and traders, he said. Modi also called upon the textiles industry to collaborate with reputed institutes like IITs to develop new tools.
The sector is a major employment generator and contributes 11 per cent to the manufacturing sector.Bharat Tex, being held in New Delhi from February 14-17, is the textile industry's largest event comprising a mega expo spread across two venues and showcasing the entire textile ecosystem. The Bharat Tex is becoming a big global event, with more than 120 nations participating in it.