The Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC), a pivotal player in the Indian apparel export industry, is set to further transform the landscape of garment manufacturing and exports. To get an insight into this exciting development, we sat down with Lalit Thukral, President of NAEC, to discuss the upcoming Apparel Park and its potential impact on the region, the industry, and the economy.
The Vision for the Apparel Park
“The vision behind the establishment of the Noida Apparel Park is to create a world-class facility that fosters growth, innovation, and sustainability in the apparel export sector,” shared Thukral who has been working tirelessly towards the realization of the dream project.
The development of the park is expected to be a game-changer for the garment manufacturing industry, which has been working hard to recover from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lalit Thukral expressed optimism, noting that the establishment of the park would provide much-needed support and infrastructure to help the sector bounce back and cash on the opportunities in the growing apparel export sector. According to Thukral, Noida has long been known as a hub for garment manufacturing, and the new park will reinforce its position as the “city of apparel.”
“Currently, Noida is home to around 4,000 manufacturing units that produce readymade garments. Collectively, these factories contribute an investment of approximately Rs 40,000 crore annually,” Thukral explained. “The goal is to increase exports to Rs 60,000 crore over the next three years, and this park will play a central role in helping us achieve that target.”
He clarifies that when we see the growth of apparel exports in China and Bangladesh we forget that these countries have infrastructure and capacities to be able to churn volumes and quality. “We need to create such an ecosystem in India as well and Noida Apparel Park is the answer to this,” averred Thukral.
Key Features of the Apparel Park
The Noida Apparel Park promises to be a state-of-the-art facility, designed to cater to all the needs of the garment manufacturing and export ecosystem. Thukral highlighted several key features that set the park apart, making it a unique development in northern India.
“One of the distinguishing aspects of this Apparel Park is that it will be one of its kind in the region,” Thukral said. “The park will not only house a large number of garment manufacturing companies but will also include various essential services and facilities, making it a one-stop solution for the industry.”
The park will feature:
- 45-meter-wide internal roads connecting different zones within the park, ensuring smooth logistics.
- Showrooms for various companies, creating opportunities for both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) interactions.
- Sourcing hubs for raw materials, providing easier access for manufacturers.
- Testing labs, design studios, sampling houses, Technology support ensuring high-quality production standards.
- Skill development centres to enhance workforce capabilities.
- Dyeing and printing units that will help meet the growing demand for specialized garment finishes.
- A zero liquid discharge (ZLD) effluent treatment plant, emphasizing sustainability in operations.
Some of the distinguished advantages of the park is availability of land and power at subsidized rates, facilities to train the labour, and the biggest is the strategic location of the park adjacent to the airport.
“The Jewar airport and the apparel park are in close proximity to each other and since we are contemplating building a five- star hotel also the buyers will be able to visit factories as soon as they land and this will increase the ease of business,” said Thukral.
Additionally, Thukral pointed out that the area surrounding the park would be designed to be more environmentally friendly, with fruit trees planted along the roads leading to the site. “This will create optimism inside the compound and the workers will also feel motivated to work in such an environment,” he added.
The Role of YEIDA in the Development
The Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has been instrumental in the development of the Apparel Park. Most of the companies that were allocated plots in the park have received physical possession of their land and have started the construction. This rapid development is a clear indication of the momentum behind the project and the commitment of the local authorities to support the apparel industry.
“The infrastructure is being developed at an unprecedented pace, and it is heartening to see the industry respond positively. The Apparel Park will soon become a beacon for apparel manufacturing in the region,” Thukral stated.
Expansion Plans and the Future of Noida’s Apparel Sector
The Noida Apparel Park is just one part of a broader vision to create a more robust industrial ecosystem in Noida. Thukral emphasized that the park is strategically placed to attract both domestic and international investors, with plans to scale up operations and production in the coming years.
“Through this initiative, we aim to create a world-class manufacturing ecosystem that will not only enhance production but also improve the quality of Indian garments, allowing us to compete with global players in the market,” Thukral added.
To address the challenge of availability of labour NAEC is collaborating with villages around the park and companies operating out of park will facilitate the pick and drop for the workers so that there are seamless operations without any hurdle in manufacturing. He also clarified that one of the main objectives is also to empower women from nearby villages. “We can empower the women by giving them employment in the apparel sector and this apparel park is definitely a solution for all the underprivileged.”
As Lalit Thukral aptly stated, the park’s construction is not just about creating physical infrastructure but about providing the necessary tools for the sector to thrive and evolve in a competitive global market uniting players and giving them common ground to manufacture with ease and perfection.
With construction set to begin in earnest, the industry is watching closely as Noida’s Apparel Park takes shape — a promising step towards securing a brighter future for India’s apparel export sector.
