Demands flow from textile sector to mentor on road

SURAT: Leaders of man-made fabric (MMF) sector in the city on Monday submitted a slew of suggestions to leading trade and management consultant Jagat Shah, who has begun a road journey to 27 cities across India to encourage nearly 6,000 MSMEs and budding entrepreneurs to join the Make in India' drive.
Starting his mentor-on-road business yatra , along with his family, on May 3 in Ahmedabad, Shah will crisscross 18 states, covering 9,400 km in 65 days and return here on July 7.After completion of this journey, Shah will submit a report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the challenges faced by rural enterprises, MSMEs and startups.
In a meeting on Monday, textile stakeholders demanded development of Surat airport for facilitating the growth of textile and the diamond sectors and other allied sectors, tax exemption on the garments priced upto Rs 450, extending small loans without collateral etc.
Jagat Shah told TOI, "Surat is country's largest MMF hub but lacks railway and airport infrastructure. I am going to suggest to the Prime Minister in my report to privatize Surat airport. This will allow more airline companies to start operation from Surat and benefit the textile and diamond sectors."