Giriraj Singh Welcomes Japan’s Uniqlo to Invest in PM Mitra Parks
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New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh has extended an invitation to the Japanese apparel brand Uniqlo to invest in the PM's Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks as India aims for a textiles market size ranging from 350 billion to 100 billion dollars in exports by the year 2030, as stated in an official release on Tuesday.
During a meeting held here with senior officials from Uniqlo, the minister reiterated the mutual dedication to enhancing India’s textile sector. This dialogue follows Uniqlo’s previous engagement with the Prime Minister, which emphasized their strong interest in partnering with India’s textile industry to boost cotton production capabilities, productivity, and quality.
The PM MITRA Parks provide a ready-to-use ecosystem with a build-to-suit model, ensuring seamless integration for companies aiming for sustainable and efficient operations. “This meeting highlights the synergy between Uniqlo’s vision and India’s aspiration of nurturing a globally competitive and sustainable textile sector,” the statement noted.
With 15 stores established nationwide and a retail revenue of Rs 814 crore as of March 31, 2024, Uniqlo has shown a significant growth rate of 30 percent, making a substantial contribution to the retail and textile ecosystem in India. Their operations, which involve collaboration with 18 swing factories and 6 fabric mills sourced from 9 vendors, reflect their commitment to quality and innovation in textiles.
Uniqlo has shown a strong interest in enhancing cotton production capabilities, productivity, and quality within India. As the world's largest cotton producer, cultivating over 11.9 million hectares, India presents an ideal backdrop for such initiatives. Currently, India is using high-density quality seeds in Akola, achieving productivity levels of up to 1,500 kg/hectare.
The company’s pilot project is also aligned with this goal, where productivity and quality levels are achieving up to 1,000 kg/hectare. The Ministry is dedicated to assisting Uniqlo with their request for land to expand this initiative, indicating a shared vision of establishing India as a global hub for high-quality cotton sourcing.
Uniqlo’s involvement in the forthcoming “Bharat Tex” Global Textile Expo in February will further emphasize the mutual commitment to promoting innovation, sustainability, and traceability within the textile sector.
With global interest geared towards sustainable and traceable practices, the Ministry has urged Uniqlo to broaden its research and development initiatives into new natural fibres, including milkweed fibre, aligning with India’s own programs in this essential area.
The Ministry is optimistic that this collaboration will strengthen India’s end-to-end textile value chain, empower the women-led economy, and enhance India’s standing as a global textile leader, as per the statement.
