TEXTILE MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (INDIA)
Record Note of the Meeting
MYANMAR DELEGATION & TMMA (I) OFFICIALS
7th January, 2013 held in TMMA Office, Mumbai
Purpose: To discuss and explore the opportunities for collaboration between the textile
industry of the both countries.
Participants: Delegates from Myanmar Investment and Industrial Development Committee,
Lifebond Machines Pvt. Ltd., and TMMA officials.
Proceedings: After formal introduction and exchange of visiting cards, Mr. S. Chakrabarty,
Secretary General, TMMA (I) briefed the delegation about the current economic scenario of the
country, available technologies in the Textile Engineering Industry and potential of
collaboration between the two countries. He told that the market demand for the TEI is getting
better now and we are able to compete with the big players of the industry into the world
market. India is the world leader in Spinning Technologies and has world class products in that
segment. In Processing Machineries also we have a good edge, however in weaving and
garment making we still need to work a lot to touch the world benchmark. Our companies are
exporting to many countries of the world: be it Latin American countries, African countries or
South East Asian countries, we have the footprints of our products in these regions of the
world.
Representing the Myanmar delegation, H. E. Mr. Kyi Thar, informed the TMMA secretariat that
they have come here to study the textile industry in India, understand the technological gaps in
their industry and find opportunities for investment and collaboration from the Indian
companies. He told that they are currently using Chinese machinery in their industry, but wish
to find better alternatives from here. They used to have spinning industry as well till some time
ago, but that has stopped functioning because of lack of enough cotton and tough competition
from China.
TEXTILE MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (INDIA)
In Myanmar, there are about 50,000 looms which are almost 30-35 years old and run at a speed
of 80 rpm. The main product of these looms is a 44 inch width Yarn Dyed Loongi with Selvages
on sides and is worn by a majority of the male-female population. Mr. Chakrabarty asked if the
delegation would be willing to buy better technology machines such as Rapier looms from
India, which can give them a speed of 180-200 with two tucking devices from sides and one
tucking device from the center to give a double the size production cloth i.e. a 88 inch width
loongi. Though delegation was excited, but the cost of Rs. 4.5 lakh was little out of their budget.
Also the Government intends to support the cottage/handloom industry; hence the usage of
shuttle less looms will be very limited.
Understanding this fact the delegation was informed that India too has about 23 lakh looms out
of which just 2.57% are shuttle less looms. The cost of a normal shuttle loom with good quality
equipments and installed dobby in 4x1 combinations would cost around Rs. 1.3 lakh per
machine and can be run at 130-140 rpm speed. At present the Myanmar industry is getting
cheap Chinese shuttle looms at a price of just Rs 80,000/- at landed cost. On this the secretariat
pointed out the issue of poor quality, persistent breakage of the tools and regular maintenance
problems associated with such machines. The Indian companies can also provide looms at that
cost but it would be futile for the Myanmar government to invest in low tech and low quality
looms, when they envisage developing their textile industry. The point was noted by the visiting
team.
Looking at the price factor the secretariat suggested them to have a joint venture with an
Indian company to develop their own textile machinery making industry. Since the labor is
cheap in Myanmar; Rs. 6000/- which is 50% less than (Rs 9000) the salary of an Indian laborer,
could be utilized towards making machines which are not only good in metallurgy but also cost
effective. The Indian manufacturers can provide them some technical assistance, design
transfer and guidance in the beginning to take it further. But to cover the marginal cost the
Myanmar Government or industry need to provide basic infrastructure and also buy some 3040 machines from India. The secretariat suggested them of arranging the training of their staff
in Myanmar as well as in India to learn the technology from their Indian counterpart.
Mr. Dilip Dhamanwala, MD, Lifebond Machines from Surat asked that the Myanmar
Government should study the number of machines they need every month for their industry. It
will help them make a comprehensive plan for a Joint Venture. Initially for manufacturing 10-15
machines an area of 5000 sq meter would be enough. Since they would need to scale it up to
40-50 machines in future, a larger area earmarked for such an activity would be very good. He
TEXTILE MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (INDIA)
also enquired about the kind of support and benefits they will be offering to the Indian
manufacturers as for a Small & Medium Enterprise going for a JV in Myanmar, these factors
would be of prime concern.
Mr. Aye Mauk, Secretary of Planning and Financial Development Committee suggested on
providing the existing foundry of about 40 acres for this purpose. This foundry was earlier used
for sewing machines, supplied by a company from Ludhiana, in India, but was later on closed
due to a decimated demand of its products domestically. This facility can be used for casting,
molding and fixtures. It would be good if it is done after a careful visit and analysis of the
premise, as suggested by the secretariat to the delegation.
Besides weaving machinery, the delegation has also shown interest in getting support for Yarn
Dying, and Sizing Machineries from India. As part of their itinerary, they also asked if visiting
Bhiwandi, or Malegaon or Surat would be of any help. The secretariat advised them a visit to
Surat would be a better idea where they can find various weaving mills, yarn dying and sizing
companies from the user industry.
Accompanying the delegation, Mr. Hardeep Singh who runs his textile business in Myanmar and
represent Indo Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IMCC), requested the secretariat
to provide the contact details of the companies who are into the manufacturing of weaving,
yarn dying and sizing machineries. The secretariat cited about Lifebond Machines, Honest
Trading, Laxmi Textile Stores, Prashant Gamatex, Jupiter Comtex and Dalal Engineering to name
a few companies with whom they can find the opportunities for JVs and Development. The
secretariat handed him out the Buyer’s Guide and the members’ list. Later on he was mailed
also the contact details of all the relevant companies mentioned during the conversation.
On behalf of the delegation, Mr. Singh invited the Indian TEI to participate in an exhibition IMCC
is organizing in collaboration with FICCI during May 2013. They shall send us the formal
invitation and registration details for the same.
The delegation was also keen on enhancing the cotton production capacity of their farm lands
and asked if usage of BT Cotton has made any difference to the production capacity of the
Indian farmers. The joint secretary mentioned about a definite increase in the production levels
of cotton, but also cited the nuances of environmental health concerns vis a vis genetically
engineered crops. For further information on cotton productivity enhancement programs and
investments in their country, the delegation was told to contact the Confederation of Indian
TEXTILE MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (INDIA)
Textile Industry (CITI). The delegation was also provided with the contact details of Greenpeace
an NGO working to protect environment, and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
doing clinical trials on such crops. The delegation may consider meeting them while formulating
and implementing their own environmental, health and industrial policy.
The meeting was concluded on a cordial note. Both the visiting team and the host shared the
facts that India & Myanmar have had exchange of various trading commodities such as timber,
cotton, spices and animals in the past. Besides, a majority of Bengali (West Bengal and now
Bangladesh) and Burmese workforce have worked in various industries and government
departments of the both countries historically. Owing to these cultural relations, mutual
cooperation and ever changing geo political scenario in this region, it would be apt for the
decision makers on the both sides to develop new synaptic bonds with each other to flourish
our relations and trade opportunities further.
List of Attendees
Mr. Kyi Thar
Mr. Aye Mauk
Mr. Than Myint
Mr. Hardeep Singh
Mr. Dilip D.
Mr. S. Chakrabarty
Mr. Sachin Arora
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Investment & Industry Development Committee, Myanmar
Investment & Industry Development Committee, Myanmar
Investment & Industry Development Committee, Myanmar
Indo Myanmar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Myanmar
Lifebond Machines Pvt. Ltd., India
Secretary General, TMMA (I)
Joint Secretary, TMMA (I)