Gujarat: Surat, an industrial city in Gujarat, is known as the Silk City for its world-renowned textile industry, which significantly contributes to the country's economy.
The industry, with a centuries-old history, has embraced modern technologies to produce world-class textiles on a large scale.
Surat's sarees are particularly famous for their beauty and intricate designs, featuring techniques like embroidery, zari work, and printing.
The textile industry in Surat is primarily driven by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with thousands of factories producing various textiles. The city also has several large textile markets, serving as important hubs for traders and buyers.
Notably, Surat contributes approximately 40 per cent to India's total man-made textile production. Sanjay Sarawagi, Managing Director of Laxmipati Group, said, "So far, as we all knew, Surat's focus was on the domestic market, where saree production was happening on a large scale. After that, dress materials came into play.
Then, the fabric used for making tents, which was cotton, completely shifted to polyester and nylon.
Following this, gradually, Surat advanced in the manufacturing of tapestry or what you call furnishings." He added, "The new phase that is coming up now is 'technical textiles'. So, if we look at it, Surat is diversifying its textile products very well. The fabrics that we used to import from China or other countries are now gradually being made in Surat, and Surat is slowly becoming proficient in this area as well."
Surat's textile industry has embraced advanced technology and innovations, boosting both production capacity and quality.
Surat is a key pillar of India's textile industry, crucial for boosting the economy and providing large-scale employment. The city's textile sector is making a significant impact both domestically and internationally, establishing a strong global presence. (with Agency inputs)
