The three-day International Textiles, Weaving Machinery and Accessories Expo held at Erode in Tamil Nadu on July ten generated business of over Rs 200 crore, chairman of Hi-Tech International Trade Fair Private Ltd, M A Rayappan said today.

More than 90 companies, including some from U.S.A., Italy and Germany and India displayed their products that provided insights into moving up the value chain. Student and entrepreneurs visited the Expo in large number, he said.

Urging the centre and Tamil Nadu government to address the problems of pollution, Rayappan said strict laws at present in the state meant that dyeing units were not able to function here.Woven gada fabric was transported all the way to Gujarat for dyeing and brought back. The future of local dyeing and printing industries could be safeguarded by setting up Common Effluent Treatment Plants, industry representatives felt.

The organisers said the next Expo would feature machinery of higher technologies, factoring in the desire of the younger generation of entrepreneurs to move up the value chain.