An Italian textile technology training center has been opened at Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur. This follows the signing of an agreement two years ago between ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, and the DKTE’S Textile & Engineering Institute of Ichalkaranji.

The project provides transfer of equipment on loan from Italian manufacturers for a maximum of three years as well as training courses. The project will be responsible for organizing all on-site activities. The initiatives planned include a mission to Italy in November consisting of DKTE’S professors and Indian textile operators associated with the institute.

The students of DKTE can be directly exposed to state-of-the-art Italian technology and this will further enhance their skills for research and development projects. The technology training center is part of the broader Machines Italia project. The goal of the Machines Italia project is to lay the foundation for future business opportunities in a market that is already important for Italy’s machinery manufacturers.

The Indian market ranks third as an export destination, with €28 million worth of machinery exported in the first quarter of 2014. ACIMIT represents an industrial sector comprising around 300 companies. The quality of Italian textile technology is evidenced by the export of Italian machinery to around 130 countries worldwide.