Jaipur, July 15: Union Textiles Minister Shahnawaz Hussain has asked the textile exporters to get themselves prepared for utilising opportunities in a quota free regime under WTO from 2005. The world trade scenario is fast changing where quota restrictions would go with effect from January 01, 2005 providing free access to markets every where to all players, Husain told apparel exporters here last night.

While the removal of quota system would give vast opportunities to exporters it would also throw challenge of unrestricted competition for them and "you should get yourself prepared for that," he said. The government, he said, was committed to provide export friendly policy framework and infrastructure support so that Indian exporters can face the challenge of post quota free regime.

He said the government wanted to see the apparel park scheme succeed so that apparel manufacturing units with international standards come up.

As many as nine apparel park schemes had already been sanctioned and a subsidy of Rs 15 crore had been released for setting up an apparel international mart (aim) in Gurgaon which is likely to become fully operational within a few years, he said. Bureau Report