SATISH HANDA                                         

Study reveals, world wide famous Panipat textile industry in Haryana is likely to be flooded with orders from buyers in USA and Europe since exporters at Panipat are having large number of inquiries from buyers from these countries because of higher freight for the containers during shipment of goods charged by manufacturers in China as compared to India as such foreign buyers are now preferring to place their orders for textile and handloom products on Panipat manufacturers. According to information, the freight for a 40 feet container from India to USA ports being charged up to 12 thousand dollars as against approximately 22 thousand dollars charged by manufacturers in China as such most of the buyers in these countries earlier procuring goods from manufacturers in China now shifting orders to manufacturers at Panipat because of saving huge amount towards freight on containers during shipment of the consignment.

According to Panipat exporters, they are getting large number of inquiries especially from buyers in USA an other European countries likely to increase export business of textile and handloom products, especially polyster quilts  (Rajai), mink blankets, micro comforts and carpets likely to increase exports further for value worth Rs 2000 crores every year but  they expressed worried if Panipat textile manufacturers will be in a position to supply ordered goods in scheduled time with their existing infrastructure. The said, exports of textile products may grow up to Rs 4000 to 5000 crores annually at this stage in case Panipat manufacturers are in a position to increase their production.

Meanwhile, exporters told that the management of shipping companies due to increasing demand from USA and other European countries has drastically increased the rates of containers. They told that only Panipat textile industry presently require about 60 containers every week to complete their orders which is likely to increase up to 100 containers every week shortly and shortage of containers may affect supplies demanding government to intervene into the matter and take action against over charging shipping companies to avoid suffering of export business.  According to Panipat exporters, textile and handloom business is likely to witness boom and increase in demand but the manufacturers will not fully prepared to meet increased demand and execute export orders timely in their existing infrastructure, which may not only affect future business as well as damage the reputation of domestic industry.

According to entrepreneurs, Panipat textile and handloom industry presently doing 60% export  business with USA had demand of about 800 containers every month earlier is likely to increase to nearly1000 containers every month now.The demand of containers for European countries too fast increasing due to approaching Chrismas festival and peak winter season. The exporters said they are not getting containers for Australia unable to make supplies against their orders because of too high freight and non-availability of containers, which is higher than the cost of material.