Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
The Government of Punjab today hosted a dedicated sectoral session on “Textiles, Spinning & Weaving” as part of the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026, highlighting the State’s established strengths in yarn, knitwear, woollens, and emerging technical textiles. The session focused on investment opportunities, sustainability transitions, and export competitiveness, reaffirming Punjab’s position as a key node in India’s textile value chain and its readiness to partner with industry in scaling modern, technology-driven, and environmentally responsible manufacturing.
The session was attended by Sanjeev Arora, Cabinet Minister, Industries & Commerce, Government of Punjab; K.A.P. Sinha, Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab; and Surabhi Malik, IAS, Director, Industries & Commerce.
The panel brought together prominent industry leaders including Pradeep Kumar Markandey, CEO – Projects, Trident Group; Amit Jain, Managing Director, Shingora Textiles; and Siddharth Khanna, Executive Director, Arisudana Industries.
Industry leaders highlighted three core imperatives shaping the next phase of Punjab’s textile growth.
First, large-scale capacity creation is essential to attract global buyers, achieve economies of scale, and strengthen India’s competitiveness against established global manufacturing hubs.
Second, rapid adoption of advanced technologies—including AI/ML-enabled machinery, digitised production systems, and integrated supply chains—is critical for improving productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
Third, sustainability must underpin future growth, with a focus on circular water usage, Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems, energy conservation, and transition toward alternative fuels such as agro-based biomass. MSMEs were encouraged to focus on branding, niche product lines, and diversification into technical textiles, enabling them to compete on value rather than volume.
Participants also pointed to significant opportunities in bridging India’s fibre capacity gap, particularly in recycled fibres, which could unlock downstream investments and strengthen domestic textile value chains.
During the session, the Director, Department of Industries & Commerce presented the enabling framework under the Industrial & Business Development Policy (IBDP) 2026. The policy offers a flexible incentive disbursement window of 10–15 years, capital subsidy of up to 20% of fixed capital investment (capped at ₹10 crore), 100% exemption from electricity duty, and overall incentives up to 125% of Fixed Capital Investment (capped at ₹500 crore). Mega units investing above ₹500 crore are eligible for customised incentive packages.
The policy is complemented by strong non-fiscal enablers including time-bound approvals under the Right to Business Act, facilitation through the FastTrack Punjab single-window system, reliable power supply, and enhanced captive renewable energy limits of up to 125% of approved load.
Speaking on the occasion, the Industries & Commerce Minister reaffirmed the State’s commitment to maintaining a stable and industry-friendly ecosystem, characterised by efficient incentive delivery and robust infrastructure readiness. The Chief Secretary highlighted the importance of continuous practitioner feedback in shaping responsive policies for cotton, spinning, and value-added textile segments. The Director Industries & Commerce emphasised Punjab’s inherent strengths, including established textile clusters, a skilled workforce, and strong logistics connectivity.
Key takeaways from the session included the industry’s call for shared and cost-effective environmental infrastructure, particularly cluster-level ZLD and CETP systems, expansion of fibre capacity, deeper industry–research collaboration for affordable sustainability solutions, and continued tariff predictability to support 24×7 manufacturing operations.
Follow-up engagements will be facilitated through the FastTrack Punjab single-window mechanism, and the State will convene targeted consultations in the coming weeks to consolidate actionable proposals under IBDP 2026.
These efforts reinforce Punjab’s trajectory toward building a competitive, sustainable, and future-ready textile ecosystem.