**Executive Summary:**
This document outlines the Indian government's initiatives to increase Assam's share of textile product exports in the global market. It details measures related to silk and handloom promotion, trade agreements, financial support for export promotion, and schemes for handloom and handicraft development. The document references ongoing efforts and schemes without specific deadlines.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Silk Sector Promotion:**
* Geographical Indication (GI) status conferred to Muga silk of Assam.
* OEKOTEX certification obtained from Germany for Eri silk.
* **Export Promotion Schemes:**
* Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for apparel/garments and made-ups.
* Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for textile products not covered under RoSCTL.
* **Trade Agreements:**
* India has signed 14 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), 6 Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) and concluded the F.T.A . with U.K..
* FTAs aim to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers and simplify procedures.
* **Financial Support for Export Promotion:**
* Financial support to Export Promotion Councils (e.g., ISEPC for silk, HEPC for handlooms) and trade bodies for trade fairs, exhibitions, etc.
* Support for Bharat TEX 2025 to showcase the Indian textile value chain.
* **Handloom Promotion (National Handloom Development Programme NHDP, Raw Material Supply Scheme RMSS):**
* Financial assistance for raw materials, looms, skill development, product design, infrastructure, and marketing.
* Support for international marketing linkages.
* Publicity and brand development through India Handloom Brand (IHB) and Handloom Mark (HLM).
* Reimbursement of freight charges for all types of yarn and a 15% price subsidy for certain yarns under RMSS.
* **Handicrafts Promotion (National Handicrafts Development Programme NHDP, Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme CHCDS):**
* Financial assistance for marketing, skill development, cluster development, producer companies, direct benefit transfers to artisans, infrastructure, technology, research, digitization, branding.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Assam's Textile Producers:**
* *Impact:* Increased export opportunities, access to financial assistance and resources for production and marketing.
* *Action Required:* Utilize available schemes and support to enhance production, quality, and marketing strategies.
* **Indian Textile Industry (including Assam's textile sector):**
* *Impact:* Enhanced global competitiveness, increased exports, and promotion of unique products like Assam silk and handloom fabrics.
* *Action Required:* Participate in trade fairs, exhibitions, and leverage government schemes for export promotion.
* **Handloom Weavers & Handicraft Artisans (including those in Assam):**
* *Impact:* Access to financial assistance, skill development programs, improved infrastructure, and marketing support.
* *Action Required:* Engage with relevant government programs and schemes to improve their livelihoods and promote their products.
* **Export Promotion Councils (ISEPC, HEPC) and Trade Bodies:**
* *Impact:* Receive financial support for organizing and participating in trade events.
* *Action Required:* Organize and participate in trade fairs, exhibitions, and other promotional events to boost textile and garment exports.
Key Entities Referenced
Assam: A state in India with significant textile production, particularly silk and handloom fabrics. The question concerns increasing Assam's share of textile product exports.
Muga silk of Assam: A specific type of silk produced in Assam, which has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status to promote its exports.
Eri silk: Another type of silk, originating from Assam, that has obtained OEKOTEX certification from Germany to facilitate international exports.
Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies RoSCTL: A scheme implemented by the Government of India to enhance export competitiveness in the apparel/garments and made-ups sector.
Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products RoDTEP: A scheme that covers textile products not included under RoSCTL, along with other eligible products, to reduce duties and taxes on exported products.
Free Trade Agreements FTAs: Agreements signed by India to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, simplify procedures, and address structural issues to make Indian exports more competitive.
Export Promotion Councils ISEPC and HEPC: Organizations supported by the Government of India to promote textile and garment exports through various activities like trade fairs and buyer-seller meets. ISEPC is specifically for silk, and HEPC for handlooms.
National Handloom Development Programme NHDP: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Textiles through the Office of the Development Commissioner Handlooms to promote handloom products, including those from Assam, through financial assistance and other support measures.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 404
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025
INCREASE ASSAM SHARE OF TEXTILE PRODUCT EXPORTS
404. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:
Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री
be pleased to state :
(a) the initiatives are being taken to increase Assam's share of textile product exports in the global
market, considering its potential to export unique items like Assam silk and handloom fabrics;
(b) whether the Government has any proposal to strengthen international trade agreements to benefit
Assam's textile producers and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has prepared marketing and branding to boost global recognition and
demand for Assam's textile products and if so, the details thereof?
उत्तर
ANSWER
वस्त्र मंत्री (श्री गिररराज स हं )
MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)
(a) to (c): The Government of India has taken several key initiatives to increase the share of the
Indian textile industry, including Assam’s textile sector, in the global market.
In the silk sector, initiatives such as conferring Geographical Indication (GI) status to Muga silk of
Assam and obtaining OEKO-TEX certification from Germany for Eri silk have been undertaken to
promote exports in international markets.
The Government is implementing the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL)
scheme for apparel/garments and made-ups, with the objective of enhancing export competitiveness by
adopting the principle of zero-rated exports. Further, textile products not covered under the RoSCTL
scheme are included under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP)
scheme, along with other eligible products.
India has signed 14 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) & 6 Preferential Trade Agreements
(PTAs) and concluded the F.T.A . with U.K. recently. These FTAs aim to reduce tariff and non-tariff
barriers, simplify procedures, and address structural issues to make Indian exports more competitive in
partner markets.
The Government also provides financial support to various Export Promotion Councils (e.g., ISEPC
for silk and HEPC for handlooms) and trade bodies engaged in the promotion of textile and garment
exports, for organizing and participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets, etc., at national
and international levels.The Ministry has supported Export Promotion Councils/Associations in organizing a global mega textile
event — Bharat TEX 2025, to showcase the strength of the Indian textile value chain, highlight the
latest advancements and innovations in the textile and fashion industry, and position India as the most
preferred destination for sourcing and investment in the textile sector.
The Ministry of Textiles, through the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms),
promotes handloom products across the country, including Assam, by implementing the following
schemes:
1. National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS)
Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies and weavers for
procurement of raw materials, upgraded looms and accessories, solar lighting units, construction of work
sheds, skill development, product and design development, technical and common infrastructure,
marketing of handloom products in domestic and international markets, concessional loans under the
Weavers’ MUDRA Scheme, social security, etc.
Assistance is also provided for establishing international marketing linkages to suitable apex/primary
handloom cooperative societies, corporations, producer companies, handloom awardees, exporters, and
other talented weavers producing exclusive exportable handloom products.
Export promotion is supported through participation in international fairs, exhibitions, big-ticket events,
Buyer-Seller Meets (BSMs), Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets (RBSMs), and other marketing initiatives.
Publicity and brand development are undertaken through India Handloom Brand (IHB), Handloom
Mark (HLM), and related measures.
The Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) is implemented nationwide to ensure the availability of
yarn to handloom weavers. Under this scheme, freight charges are reimbursed for all types of yarn, and a
15% price subsidy is provided for cotton hank yarn, domestic silk, wool, linen yarn, and blended yarns
made from natural fibres.
Similarly, for the handicrafts sector, the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts)
implements two major schemes: the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and the
Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) for the holistic development
and promotion of handicrafts across the country. Under these schemes, need-based financial assistance is
provided for end-to-end support to artisans, covering marketing events, skill development, cluster
development, formation of producer companies, direct benefit transfers to artisans , infrastructure and
technology support, research and development, digitization, branding, and marketing of handicraft
products in both domestic and international markets — benefitting traditional crafts and artisans
throughout the country, including those in Assam.
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