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Woollen exports to Gulf to be stepped up

India's exports of woollen products to Dubai have grown three-fold in the last six years but still remain at a low level of $ 8 million per annum, an industry official has said.

Dr S K Chaudhuri, area director of the International Wool Secretariat for India and the Middle East, however, felt that this level could be raised in the coming years.

He said the IWS and the Indian Woollen Mills Federation had jointly launched a major effort to increase the presence of woollen products from India in the lucrative market of the Gulf.

As part of this drive, the two organisations have planned a series of marketing programmes in the region, including product sourcing workshops.

More than 40 key wool retailers from the United Arab Emirates attended a meeting on Saturday in Dubai at which a display of Indian woollen products, including suitings and shawls, was put up.

Dr Chaudhuri said the IWS had chalked out a plan to support businessmen to set up readymade garment units in Dubai, given the city's excellent infrastructure facilities.

"Our aim is to also help create a domestic market for wool and woollens in Dubai," he said.

According to him, the market for wool is not driven by climatic conditions. He gave the example of South India, which consumes around 30 per cent of the total domestic fabric production in spite of its warm climate.

Arun Churiwal, deputy chairman of IWMF and chairman of BSL Limited, one of India's leading fabric manufacturers, told the gathering that India could be a good source of wool and wool blends for the Middle East market.

He said efforts are being made by the IWMF to improve the quality of wool products in India, especially in the apparel sector.

He said the Indian spinning, weaving and finishing industry was equipped with the latest worsted technology and used the best of raw material.

"Products with attributes such as easy care, machine washability and stain resistance have already been introduced," Dr Chaudhari said.

"The consumer of the '90s expects value for money from apparel. This is not simply about the lowest price, but a more complex balance of price, quality, brand assurance, versatility, performance and durability," he added.

UNI

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