When world export of textile and apparel was governed by multi-fibre agreement (quota period), WWEPC was assigned work of quota allocation for acrylic knitwear and woollen fabrics. WWEPC successfully transformed itself as a facilitator for export growth.

The Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC) is commemorating its 58th establishment day. During its 58 years journey, the WWEPC has rendered valuable services to the Indian woollen industry for enhancing export and strengthening production base through qualitative interventions, initiatives on export promotion and other activities.

The woollen textile and clothing industry is relatively small compared to the cotton and manmade fibre-based textiles and clothing industry, yet the woollen sector plays an important role by linking the rural economy with the manufacturing industry, represented by small, medium & large-scale units. The product portfolio is equally divergent from textile intermediaries to finished textiles, garments, knitwear, blankets, carpets, etc. with presence in technical textiles. This industry caters to civil and defence requirements for warmer clothing, WWEPC said in a press release.

The council is regularly taking up the issues being faced by the woollen industry with the government for effectively accommodating them into the policy framework. The council also provides a unique opportunity and platform for exporters of woollen products to build business contacts with overseas importers & buyers by organising participation in international trade fairs/exhibitions/Buyer Seller Meets in India and abroad. WWEPC is organising 3^rd India Fashion Tex – A Reverse Buyer Seller Meet in New Delhi and export award function to compliment the efforts of its member-exporters for their outstanding export performances during the years 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 during January 2023. The council will also organise Capacity Building Programmes for manufacturers and new entrepreneurs in all woollen clusters like Jammu, Srinagar, Ladakh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Panipat, Bikaner, Tirupur and many more clusters

As the government has been encouraging agriculture the same way the sheep farmers should be considered as agricultural and subsidies along with facilities should be provided to them. If we encourage our sheep farming sector, we can produce more wool in terms of quality and quantity which will reduce our import burden and save foreign currency which is equal to the foreign currency earned.

The government has taken various steps for the development of the woollen industry. In order to boost the export, several concessions have been given on import duties on raw wool, textile machinery, providing subsidy under Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, Market Access Initiative Scheme, PLI Scheme etc. Measures like simplification of procedures attempted through fine tuning of existing practices under various schemes for transparency, accountability, reducing transaction time and other steps definitely helped the industry to create a better enabling environment for enhancing our export potential.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)