India wants textile and garment exports to reach 45 billion dollars in 2017-18.The country is faceing falling demand in major markets such as the US, EU and China, and stiff competition from countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh.

A support package will be unveiled for the knitwear sector, which is grappling with enormous financial stress due to lack of automation, leading to much lower productivity than in countries like China.

Road shows have been held in six countries including the UK, US, China, Russia, South Korea and the UAE to attract investors. Events have been planned to showcase India as a global sourcing hub and provide a platform to connect and collaborate with global manufacturers, investors and buyers in the textile sector.

Funds to the tune of over Rs 1900 crores have been given to the apparel industry under the rebate of state levies to boost exports from the sector.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Paridhan Rozgar Protsahan Yojana, over 1.4 lakh workers have registered themselves for provident fund.

Around Rs 3000 crores have been approved as additional investment in the apparel segment, which will generate more employment in the entire sector.

A Rs 6,006 crore special package for the textile and apparel sector aims to create one crore jobs in three years.