A global business summit was held in West Bengal, January 8 and 9, 2016. Textiles and clothing were one of the focus industries at this summit. The Apparel and Export Promotion Council for the first time sent a delegation while national and state industry leaders were delegates and panelists. Leading retail chains like V Mart, Lifestyle participated in the deliberations. A roadmap was discussed for making Bengal a major hub for clothing and textiles in the coming five years and increasing its share of Indian textiles from five to 10 per cent. Around 13 textile parks were launched under Project Texpro Bengal. The project would provide industry land, infrastructure, single window clearance, environment compliant infrastructure, power apart from a host of subsides (capital, land, stamp duty, labor, power etc).

Among the associations which participated were the Apparel Export Promotion Council, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, Federation of Hosiery Manufacturers’ Association of India, Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, Clothing Manufacturers’ Association of India, Bengal Hosiery Manufacturers Association, Chamber of Textile Trade and Industry, Eastern India Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Federation, West Bengal Hosiery Association, West Bengal Bleachers and Dyers Association and the Intimate Apparel Association of India.