The head of the Southern region arm of an Indian exporter’s body proposed to set up a research laboratory, to develop value added apparel products like fire retardant and sweat absorbing clothing. This will help India to increase its global market share in technical textile products, where its exports are still very low, versus traditional clothing exports.

"This is one area in which we are lagging, although it is a high value business and at the same time there is less competition from other countries," Dr A Sakthivel, chairman of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Southern region told a leading daily. “But since there is a lot of technology involved, it needs scientists and researchers.”

According to Sakthivel, Karnataka could be an ideal location for the lab since its climate allows to research on better products, and so while there is a big opportunity for exports, the products developed by the lab could be used in India itself also as the country imports a large quantity of these technical textiles products. (AR)