Early Times Report LUCKNOW, Sept 8: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "Uttar Pradesh means UP, that is, 'Ultimate Potential'. Uttar Pradesh has heritage, skills, human resources, industry, entrepreneurship and the country's largest market. We also have the world's youngest workforce. With this strength, Uttar Pradesh must be developed as a global textile hub. Our goal is to develop the entire value chain in the state, from fiber to yarn, yarn to fabric, fabric to garment and garment to brand, and then take it to the global market. Chief Minister Yogi was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the two-day UP Textiles Conclave-2026 on Tuesday. During the event, he launched the UP Tek Mitra Portal and inaugurated the Hathkargha Bunakar Samriddhi Yojana. MoUs were signed for new investment proposals worth Rs 5,196 crore in the textile sector. Along with this, the government distributed Letters of Comfort worth Rs 163 crore and a subsidy of Rs 60 crore. The Chief Minister welcomed prominent entrepreneurs, investors, and exporters from the textile sector from across the country, traditional weavers of the state, handloom operators, and youth seeking their future in this sector. Chief Minister Yogi said, "Uttar Pradesh's textile identity is thousands of years old. References to the silk textiles of Kashi appear in Vedic literature, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. Varanasi's silk sarees, Bhadohi's carpets, Lucknow's chikankari, Bareilly's zari, Kanpur's textile ecosystem and the possibilities of technical textiles in Meerut are proof of the state's heritage and industrial capability. 2 lakh handloom and more than 5 lakh powerloom weavers in the state are the real strength of this sector. After agriculture, the textile industry generates the highest employment." He further stated, Uttar Pradesh ranks third in the country in fabric manufacturing and has a 13 to 14 percent share in total fabric production. Over the last 6 years, the state's exports of textiles, garments and handicrafts have increased by around 56 percent. UP has become the fourth-largest exporting state in the country in this sector. With exports of more than Rs 21,000 crore in 2025-26, Gautam Buddh Nagar has reached the second position among the country's major exporting districts. Chief Minister Yogi said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has set a target of a USD 350 billion textile and apparel economy and USD 100 billion in exports by 2030. Uttar Pradesh will contribute to this national resolve to the fullest. Through ODOP, textile and handloom products from more than 35 districts have received a new identity. The state's 17 textile products have received GI tags. Through self-help groups, lakhs of women are also becoming self-reliant by joining this sector. The world's youngest workforce is available in the state, which can play an important role in taking the textile sector to new heights." |