Context: Recently, the Ministry of Textiles has invited proposals for constitution of a Dedicated Export Promotion Council (EPC) for Technical Textiles.
Background

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval to set up a National Technical Textiles Mission in February 2020.
• The Mission would have a four year implementation period from FY 2020-21 to 2023-24.
• The constitution of an Export Promotion Council for Technical Textiles is part of one of the components of the National Technical Textiles Mission.

Key Highlights

• The Exporter Association and Trade bodies registered under Companies Act or Society Registration Act have been asked to submit proposal for constitution of a dedicated EPC for Technical Textiles.
• The Council shall abide by all directions of the Central Government in respect of promotion and development of international trade.
• The Council would be responsible to promote ITC (HS) lines identified and Notified by Directorate General of Foreign Trade from time to time.

What is Technical Textiles?

• Technical textiles are textiles materials and products manufactured primarily for technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic characteristics.
• Technical Textiles products are divided into 12 broad categories (Agrotech, Buildtech, Clothtech, Geotech, Hometech, Indutech, Mobiltech, Meditech, Protech, Sportstech, Oekotech, Packtech) depending upon their application areas.
• India shares nearly 6% of world market size of 250 Billion USD and the annual average growth of the segment is 12%, as compared to 4% world average growth.
• Technical Textiles are futuristic and nice segment of textiles, which are used for various applications ranging from agriculture, roads, railway tracks, sportswear, health on one end to bullet proof jackets, fire proof jackets, high altitude combat gear and space applications.

Additional Information
National Technical Textiles Mission

• The Government has approved the proposal for creation of National Technical Textiles Mission for a period of 4 years (2020-21 to 2023-24) with an outlay of Rs.1480 crores.

The distribution of funds is

• For Research Innovation & Development – Rs. 1000 crores,
• For Promotion and Market Development – Rs.50 crore,
• For Education, Training and Skilling – Rs. 400 crore, and
• For Export Promotion – Rs.10 crores and balance Rs.20 crores for administrative expenses.

The focus of the Mission is for developing on usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions, programmes of the country including strategic sectors.

• The mission shall work for holistic development of entire technical textile sector on pan-India basis.