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Kolkata, July 18 The West Bengal Government would play an active role in the development of infrastructure for the garments industry, according to Mr Manabendra Mukherjee, Minister for Micro, Small-Scale Enterprises and Textiles. Commenting on participants in the development of the industry he said, “The role of government is to provide adequate infrastructure but there is a need for the participation of private sector.”

Mr Mukherjee was speaking on the inaugural function of the 33rd Garment Buyers and Sellers Meet, organised by the West Bengal Garment Manufacturers and Dealers Association, here.

According to Mr Chand Mal Ladha, President of the association, infrastructure and availability of raw materials were the two major bottlenecks in the growth of garment industry in West Bengal. The readymade garments turnover in the State was at Rs 12,000 crore in 2007-08. Only 60 per cent of the raw materials is procured from the local market, while 40 per cent is imported from the other States. “The cost of raw materials is high because of the higher proportion of imports, thereby, increasing the cost of finished goods,” said Mr Vijay Kariwala, Secretary of the association.

The quantity and quality of garment production in West Bengal is also comparatively lower than that in other States, in spite of the availability of cheap labour in the State, Mr Kariwala pointed out.

“The labour cost in other States is 25-30 per cent higher than that in West Bengal. However, the quantity and quality is not at par because of the poor work culture here,” he added.

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