Rajasthan chief minister, Mrs. Vasundhara Raje said that the textile sector will get the best of technology and innovations as a part of plans to make the state a “one-stop and most-favoured destination for investment.”

The textile industry will be provided with the complete matrix of technology, innovation and quality in order to bring it in line with the ‘make in India’ campaign of Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, she said.

“These (technology, innovation and quality) are the hallmarks of the campaign and therefore we want to infuse the best in technology and innovation and make them the best in quality,” she said, adding the government was committed to making the state “one stop and most favoured destination for investment”.

Mrs. Raje was speaking at the inauguration of the three day ‘Vastra-2014’, the international Trade Fair on Textiles & Apparel at the Sitapura Exhibition and convention centre in Jaipur.

“Foreign markets thrive on style and innovation and we want to introduce these in a big way to make Rajasthan the gateway for handicrafts and textiles.”

“We are committed to providing 15 lakh jobs in the state in the next five years and I am sure that the textile sector will continue to provide a major chunk of employment. All our efforts are in this direction,” the chief minister said.

She exhorted the industry to fulfil all environmental norms and reduce use of water and chemicals that can also make the products more attractive to buyers. She also laid stress on skill development, especially in new areas like technology and medical textiles and geo- synthetics.

“We want youngsters to be trained in textiles on the shopfloor so that they can join the industry as trained workforce or set up their own units. The government had already provided an enabling atmosphere by changing labour laws and offering concessions to attract investments,” Mrs. Raje said.

“This will not only make it easier for industry to do business, but also employ people, train them and also provide welfare to them,” she added.

This is the third edition of the event organised by RIICO, with FICCI as co-organiser. The event is supported by the government of Rajasthan and union textile ministry.