FICCI-TAG ’11: Focuses on sustainability

The TAG 2011 Conference, organized by FICCI recently,

focused on innovation and sustainability in the textile and apparel industry. Current innovations throughout the textile and apparel value chain and the growing demand and challenges of sustainability in the Indian textile and apparel industry were discussion points. Inaugurating the conference S Balaraju, Joint Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, government of India said, “The ministry of textiles has drafted the National Fiber Policy and the Common Compliance Code which aims to make India the global benchmark for social compliance in apparel manufacturing and exports.” He also released the FICCI Technopak Knowledge Paper that brings out key issues concerning the sustainability models.

On the occasion, Premal Udani, Chairman, FICCI Apparel Committee said that sustainability should not be forced it should arise out of regulation through voluntary compliance and commitment. He added that the economic downturn may have dented the pockets of end users but it has not lowered their aspirations. He also urged companies to take concrete steps towards achieving this goal not by force but by proactive measures.

While making the theme presentation Arindam Saha of Technopak highlighted the key findings of their knowledge paper and said “There is a need to take advantage of today’s web and social media to promote and create an awareness about sustainability’’.