The Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) has announced the appointment of S Balaraju as its executive director. Balarju who retired as recently as Additional Textile Commissioner,

An MBA in International Trade from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh, Balaraju has put in 35 years in textiles and MSME sectors. He took over as SRTEPC’s Executive Director from October 16. Balaraju was associated with the office of the textile commissioner for the past 20 years and retired as additional textile commissioner on August 31, 2017 after a long and remarkable career working on various posts. During his tenure Balaraju was actively involved in redefining the role of that office from a regulatory role to a developmental role. Balaraju has also worked with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) as well as the ministry of labour and employment, government of India for a period of nearly 12 years.

Balaraju was among the first to lend support on behalf of the Union Ministry of Textiles. He was also the key driving force behind the establishment of a mini-textile park on about 16 acres of MIDC land in Malegaon. The SRTEPC, which was set up in 1954, is one of the oldest export promotion councils in India. It has played a transforming role over the years, inculcating export culture and promoting exports of Indian man-made fibre and textiles.