By IANS
Ahmedabad : In a bid to gain first mover’s advantage in technical textiles manufacture, the Gujarat government has decided to set up a centre of excellence.
R.J. Shah, state chief principal advisor for industries, told IANS that the centre would function under the umbrella of Ahmedabad Textile Industries Research Association (ATIRA) and Surat-based Manmade Textile Research Association (MANTRA).
Technical textiles are materials and products used for their technical performance and functional properties. These include industrial textiles, functional textiles, performance textiles, engineering textiles and high-tech textiles.
The institutions are mandated to create facilities for research and development, specialised quality testing and product and skill development.
While ATIRA will focus on cotton and blended technical textiles, including medical textiles, MANTRA will focus on synthetic textiles and specialised coated textiles.
The state has formulated a scheme to promote technical textile production. It will provide a capital subsidy of 10 percent for units manufacturing technical textiles. If a unit is set up in special integrated textile parks (SITPs), it may also avail of 10 percent capital subsidy, which the centre is considering.
The state has identified 13 technical textile product groups eligible for assistance.
Shah said all industrial units, irrespective of size, are eligible for assistance. Existing units wanting to expand or upgrade are also entitled to assistance. There is no location restriction, shah added.