Bhopal, Jul 17 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday presented the state as a "green, cost-competitive and traceable" production hub during his tour of Spain.
The focus of the second day of the CM's visit was investment dialogue with the giants of the global textile and fashion sector, an official statement said.
"In the meeting held at Inditex headquarters in Galicia, the CM presented Madhya Pradesh as a green, cost-competitive and traceable production hub. During the meeting, there was a detailed discussion on the possibilities of business partnership and sustainable investment with senior officials of the Inditex Group," it said.
The CM said the Madhya Pradesh government is fully committed to global partnerships in the textile sector and the presence of a reputed brand like Inditex will accelerate economic development, enhance employment generation and promote green production in the state.
"We are ready to support this partnership at all levels. Madhya Pradesh government promotes ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) values. Water recycling, waste management and decent work standards are applicable in MP and the state's vision completely matches with Inditex's responsible sourcing policy," the release quoted him as saying.
"The ESG module being developed by the Madhya Pradesh government is getting positive response at the global level. Mr. Jose M Romay and Marta Francos Rey of Inditex took it seriously while appreciating it. They have emphasised it can become a role model for stable development, inclusiveness and good governance. They also appreciated efforts being made in policy making for ESG goals in the state and the ecosystem available for investment in the textile sector," the release said.
Madhya Pradesh is one of the top raw cotton producing states in the country, where about 18 lakh bales (3 lakh metric tonnes) are produced annually, the CM said.
"There are more than 15 textile clusters in the state. Centres like Indore, Mandsaur, Burhanpur, Ujjain, Neemuch are leading in textile production. A textile mega park being developed under PM Mitra scheme of the Government of India in Dhar district can become an ideal centre for sustainable and integrated manufacturing for global brands like Inditex," the CM said while proposing that the company set up its unit at the facility.
"Madhya Pradesh is India's leading organic cotton producer. Cotton is produced in abundance in the state, especially in Nimar and Malwa regions. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified farmer groups are active here, which can be ideal partners for Inditex's sustainability and traceability policies," he said.
Yadav suggested working together with Inditex on the farmer-to-fabric value chain, adding that MP is also surging ahead in the area of cotton to carbon fibre.
The chief minister also informed that the annual export of textiles and garments from the state is more than Rs 7,000 crore, with the European Union being the leading importer.
"With the partnership of brands like Inditex, this figure can reach Rs 10,000 crore, which will also give strength to local employment and women empowerment," the CM said while sharing features of the state's new Industrial and Export Policy 2025, which includes 90 per cent subsidy on land, 40 per cent capital assistance on machinery, 50 per cent assistance on green technology and interest subsidy on loans etc.
"The chief minister invited Inditex to become a partner as a supply chain anchor in PM Mitra Park. He also suggested starting an organic cotton tracing platform and a vendor development program with ESG certified MSMEs," the release said.
Spain's Inditex (Industria de Diseño Textil S.A.) is one of the world's largest fashion retail companies, with brands like Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Bull & Bear. The company is headquartered in Arteixo, Galicia. In India, Inditex works with the Tata Group through the Zara and Massimo Dutti brands.