SITP scheme for textiles parks to continue in Eleventh Plan

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) The Integrated Textiles Parks (SITP) scheme will continue in the 11th Five year Plan in view of the response generated and opportunities for growth of textile industry in the quota-free regime.

Approved in July 2005 to create new textile parks of international standards at potential growth centres, there has been overwhelming response to the scheme.

So far, 30 textiles projects have been approved under the scheme which aims to provide the industry with world-class infrastructure facilities for setting up their textile units meeting international environmental and social standards. It targets industrial clusters or locations with high growth potential, which require strategic interventions by way of providing world-class infrastructure support. The project cost covers common infrastructure and buildings for production or support activities (including textiles engineering, accessories, packaging), depending on the needs of the Integrated Textile Park (ITP).

Flexibility is being provided in setting up ITPs to suit local requirements.

The SITP scheme was launched by merging the Apparel Parks for Exports Scheme (APES) and the Textiles Centre Infrastructure Development Scheme (TCIDS).

New textile parks of international standards are planned to be set up as potential growth centres by engaging a panel of professional agencies for project identification and execution.

Each Integrated Textile Park (ITP) would normally have 50 units but the number of entrepreneurs and resultant investments in each ITP could vary from project to project.

However, aggregate investment in land, factory buildings and plant and machinery by the entrepreneurs in a park shall be at least twice the cost of common infrastructure proposed for the park.

The ITPs can also be set up in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to avail the special provisions of SEZs. In case these are set up outside SEZs, the proposal may be pursued with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to declare the ITP as SEZ, if desired. Under the scheme which will be operational during the 11th Plan period (2007-12), ten textile parks project will be approved at the first instance. This will facilitate additional investment, employment generation and increase in textile production.

Industry associations or groups of entrepreneurs would be the main promoters of the textiles park by forming a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for implementation or management of the project.

The Ministry of Textiles has engaged eight Project Management Consultants (PMCs) who will help the promoters in formation of SPV and preparation of detailed project reports for which the ministry will pay fee to the PMCs.

Detailed guidelines of the scheme and list of the empanelled PMCs are available on the website of the ministry at www.texmin.nic.in UNI SD BJR HT2012