I am glad to know that the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council is holding its Twentieth Award Function at New Delhi on 15th May 2006.

Due to constant encouragement given to the exporters by the Government and the sustained efforts of the exporters, the silk exports have gone up from Rs. 53 crore during 1980-81 to over Rs. 2650 crore during 2004-05. Though this is a cause for satisfaction, there is much more that can be done by way of deeper penetration of existing markets and by entering new markets. It is essential that we should, besides concentrating in increasing the volume of exports, pay attention to the quality of products we are exporting.

The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council has been in the forefront of promotion of silk exports. The awards distribution Function shall give further stimulus to the exporters to augment our export performance.

I congratulate the award winners for their export performance and wish them all success in coming years.

Minister of Textiles
Govt. of India,
New Delhi - 110 011.