At a grand celebration marking its 60th Foundation Day, Dr. Romesh Khajuria, Chairman of the Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC), emphasized the pivotal role of natural fibres in the future of the textiles industry. The event, held at Hotel Metropolitan in New Delhi, highlighted six decades of the Council’s commitment to promoting India’s wool and woollen sector.
In his keynote address, Dr. Khajuria reflected on WWEPC’s significant contributions since its establishment in 1964, particularly in aiding local manufacturers to tap into global markets, thereby boosting India’s foreign currency earnings. He expressed deep gratitude to past leaders and current stakeholders for their unwavering support and dedication to the industry’s advancement.
Several distinguished industry figures graced the event, including Shri HKL Magu, Past Chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC); Shri Anil Varma, Delhi Exporters Association and Past CoA Member of WWEPC; Shri Harish Dua, President of Knitwear & Apparels Exporters Association, Ludhiana, and CoA Member; Shri Rajesh Khanna and Shri Bilal Ahmed Bhat, CoA Members of WWEPC; Shri R.K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH; Shri S.K. Sharma, Assistant ED, ISEPC; Shri Jag Mohan, Executive Director, CEPC; Shri Rakesh Chaudhry, Regional Director, TEXPROCIL and Shri Vishal Patyal, Regional Officer, PDEXCIL. Renowned fashion designer Smt. Nivedita and Smt. Deepti Marwah, CEO, Perfect Sourcing, also attended, adding prestige to the occasion. Their presence underscored the collective effort to enhance the wool sector’s global competitiveness.
Dr. Khajuria paid tribute to the visionary founders of WWEPC, including Sh. R K Birla and others, whose contributions have been instrumental in shaping the Indian economy. He remembered Sh. R K Birla as a visionary business tycoon of the Indian industry also the first chairman of WWEPC. He further added that Shri. R K Birla, Shri. G L Singhania, Shri. H R Dhanda, Shri. S P Kapoor, Shri. U K Patel, Shri K K Adya, Shri P L Rahi, Shri and J L Oswal the visionary business leaders who founded WWEPC and contributed significantly to the growth of the sector and industry at large.
The WWEPC also acknowledged the support of the Government of India, particularly Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, for his backing of the 5F Initiative—Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. This initiative aims to connect the textiles value chain, ensuring sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness for the wool sector.
The event concluded with an update from Shri Suresh Thakur, Executive Director, who thanked all distinguished guests for their vital roles in the success of India’s wool and woollen industry.
Various members congratulated and appreciated the efforts of Council in contributing to the growth of woollen sector because of continuous efforts and dedication of the team. “The advent of new technologies in wool processing and alliance with animal husbandry sector to upgrade the quality of wool is surely going to increase the growth of woollen sector,” added Chairman.
Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC) was established on 6th October, 1964, by the Central Government with a mandate to promote India’s exports of wool, wool blended products, and acrylic knitwear. WWEPC operates under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and has its central office situated in New Delhi. Further, WWEPC maintains two Regional Offices located in Ludhiana and Mumbai.
WWEPC proudly represents the Indian Woollen Industry on the global stage, and it currently boasts a substantial membership of manufacturers and exporters of wool, wool blended products, and acrylic knitwear, spread across the nation.