Juan Pares, soon to be President of the ITMF, was impressed by his first Bharat Tex visit. "Really, really good impression," he declared, speaking on the sidelines of a knowledge session at Bharat Tex, noting the well-organized event and the presence of key industry figures. His company, Santanderina Group, also had a strong presence and business with India.

Pares acknowledged the textile industry's challenging times, emphasizing the need for transformation. "We need to think more in margins than in volume," he stated, highlighting innovation as the key. This included innovation in products, techniques, digitalization, and even the industry's mindset. He stressed the importance of attracting young talent to the textile sector, competing with other industries like car manufacturing and digital businesses. "The key point is the talent," Pares insisted. "Human resource is the key." He linked talent to innovation, which required an open mindset.

Pares' connection with India goes back to 1986. Santanderina has a company in India, engaging in both sourcing and selling. They source garments, yarns, and fabrics, while selling protective wear and high-end fashion fabrics. They also source basic cotton fabrics, transforming them in Europe, as well as specialized yarns.

Pares sees immense potential for the Indian textile industry. He believes India needs to focus on eliminating trade barriers and negotiating better agreements with other countries to compete effectively with nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China. He noted that cost isn't the only factor; developing new products and creating value are also crucial. While acknowledging India's current leadership in cotton, he pointed out the need to improve performance in polyester and polyamide to become a one-stop shop for global textile groups. He believes India has a bigger role to play, particularly by capitalizing on its strength in cotton.