16-JULY-2025,04:00PM

In a remarkable display of India’s growing global outreach in the textile and apparel sector, Union Minister Giriraj Singh attended the inauguration ceremony of the 16th India Trend Fair in Japan. The prestigious event, held in Tokyo, witnessed a vibrant exhibition of Indian textile innovations, handicrafts, and fashion products — showcasing India’s rich heritage and forward-looking design capabilities to the Japanese market.

Giriraj Singh, Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, led the Indian delegation and addressed the gathering, emphasizing India’s rising prominence as a reliable and creative partner in the global textile trade. His presence marked the government’s strong intent to further strengthen bilateral economic cooperation between India and Japan.

Giriraj Singh Leads Indian Delegation at India Trend Fair

Giriraj Singh : A Platform to Promote India’s Textile Power

The India Trend Fair (ITF) is a flagship B2B event organized by the Japan India Industry Promotion Association (JIIPA) and supported by India’s Ministry of Textiles. It serves as a key platform for Indian exporters to interact directly with Japanese buyers, fashion houses, and importers.

Giriraj Singh addressed an enthusiastic crowd of exhibitors, buyers, and government officials during the inauguration. He highlighted India’s skilled workforce, sustainable production methods, and government support through initiatives like PM MITRA parks and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for textiles.

“India is poised to become a global textile hub. Through events like the India Trend Fair, we are creating pathways for our artisans and entrepreneurs to connect directly with global markets like Japan,” said Giriraj Singh during his speech.

Giriraj Singh : Showcasing India’s Rural Innovation

As the Minister of Rural Development, Giriraj Singh also emphasized the importance of rural artisans in shaping India’s textile exports. He pointed out that Indian rural clusters produce some of the finest handloom and organic fabric products, which align well with Japanese preferences for quality, simplicity, and sustainability.

“Empowering our rural weavers and craftspeople is key to boosting exports and preserving our heritage,” he said, urging Japanese investors to collaborate in capacity-building initiatives across India’s rural landscape.

Giriraj Singh : Highlights from the 16th India Trend Fair

Over 100 Indian Exhibitors in Attendance

The 16th edition of the India Trend Fair hosted more than 100 exhibitors from various Indian states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. The stalls featured a wide range of products — from ready-to-wear garments and scarves to home textiles, traditional embroidery, and eco-friendly fabrics.

Buyers from leading Japanese fashion retailers and lifestyle brands explored partnerships and bulk orders. The Indian exhibitors reported high interest in Khadi, organic cotton, and naturally dyed fabrics — all part of India’s sustainable textile identity.

Cultural Show and Handloom Demonstration

Adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the event, a live demonstration of Indian handloom weaving techniques was organized, followed by a traditional dance performance to represent India’s artistic diversity. Giriraj Singh, who attended the performances, lauded the fusion of commerce and culture that India is bringing to global platforms like this.

He also visited individual stalls and interacted with artisans, listening to their export experiences and encouraging them to continue innovation and quality improvement to meet international standards.

Japan – A Key Market for Indian Apparel and Textiles

Strengthening Bilateral Trade Through Textiles

Japan is one of India’s priority markets under the Ministry of Textiles’ Market Access Initiative (MAI). With its strong demand for sustainable, minimalist, and high-quality fashion, Japan offers vast potential for Indian textile exporters.

Giriraj Singh’s presence at the 16th India Trend Fair underscores the Indian government’s commitment to deepening trade ties with Japan and tapping into this premium market segment.

India’s textile exports to Japan have grown steadily in recent years, but there’s still vast untapped potential. Singh emphasized the need for Indian businesses to understand and tailor their products to Japanese consumer preferences — a sentiment echoed by many industry leaders present at the fair.

Japanese Buyers Appreciate India’s Value Offering

Japanese retailers attending the event expressed admiration for India’s design sensibilities, craftsmanship, and eco-conscious product lines. They praised the blend of tradition and modernity in the Indian offerings, noting that Indian exporters are increasingly aligning with global trends without compromising on authenticity.

Giriraj Singh met with representatives of key Japanese industry associations to explore further opportunities for business collaboration, technology exchange, and training programs.

Government’s Role in Promoting Textile Exports

Support Through Schemes and Policy Push

During his keynote address, Giriraj Singh reiterated the Indian government’s strong backing of the textile and apparel sector. He listed major schemes such as:

• PM MITRA Mega Textile Parks

• PLI Scheme for Textiles

• Samarth Scheme for skilling youth in textile trades

These initiatives, he said, are designed to improve scale, competitiveness, and employment while bringing Indian exports closer to global benchmarks.

Giriraj Singh Advocates ‘Local to Global’ Vision

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Local to Global’ mission, Giriraj Singh called upon exporters to continue promoting indigenous fabrics and traditional artforms like Chikankari, Banarasi, Ikat, and Kalamkari.

“These are not just fabrics; they are India’s stories. They reflect who we are — and Japan appreciates such authenticity,” he added.

Impact and Expectations Post the Fair

Boost in Export Orders and Long-Term Ties

Initial feedback from exhibitors suggests that the India Trend Fair has already yielded several promising trade leads. With follow-ups and repeat orders expected, Giriraj Singh’s attendance has added a diplomatic and strategic edge to the event, potentially opening up long-term export pipelines for Indian producers.

Industry leaders are optimistic that this edition of ITF will generate over $25 million in trade orders and lead to joint ventures in textile innovation.

Looking Ahead – Expanding India’s Global Textile Footprint

India’s participation in trade fairs like ITF reflects the broader objective of enhancing non-oil merchandise exports and diversifying into high-value markets. Giriraj Singh’s proactive engagement in such events highlights the government’s seriousness about positioning India as a textile superpower.

From rural artisans to high-tech textile manufacturers, stakeholders are hopeful that such platforms will bring lasting global visibility and business to Indian producers.

Conclusion: A Visionary Step Forward for India-Japan Collaboration

Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s presence at the 16th India Trend Fair in Japan marks a new chapter in Indo-Japanese economic and cultural ties. By showcasing India’s dynamic and sustainable textile capabilities, Singh not only strengthened trade partnerships but also gave voice to the country’s artisans, entrepreneurs, and designers.

As Indian exhibitors return with renewed confidence and fresh business leads, the message is clear — India is ready to lead the world in ethical, high-quality, and heritage-rich fashion. And Giriraj Singh, with his forward-looking vision and grassroots commitment, is helping pave that path.

Source : ANI