During April-June, we have exported silk goods worth US S \1\ million and in all probability we may reach about US % 600-640 million for the entire year 2007-08. This would mean reach about 15% less export than the exports achieved during the last year and about 2%% less of target. We have informed the Government about loss of employment, leading manufacturer exporters laying off their workers, reduce the value of advance license and consequent problems of export obligation fulfillment etc, etc. unless the situation improves we may not be able to sustain ourselves in the export business. This also has been explained to the key officials of the government

With all negative situations it is heartening to find that many people are hoping to reverse the trend through export promotion efforts. Atleast 50 member exporter are participating in the forthcoming heimtextil,Frankfurt,

January,2008 and I wish all of them best of luck. Council will also be organizing an exclusive Reverse Trade Visit - Silk Show from January 22-24, 2008 alongwith India International Garment Fair, 22nd -24th January.2008 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.we hope that the participation in these Trade Fairs lead to some improvement if not drastic change. Council's efforts to organize Trade Fair participation in Russia, Spain and USA have not met with enthusiastic response from the exporters. The situation is quite understandable. However, as Chairman of the Council, 1 am very much open to your comments or suggestion on export promotion activities. I will certainly incorporate, if you can mobilize some exporters of your area to participate

in any Trade Fair or organize any Exhibition anywhere in the world. Market Development Assistance (MDA) is available, we should fully use it for our benefit.

As Chairman of Council, 1 met the Commerce Minister Shri Kamalnath and Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram last month and explained to them all the difficulties and problems faced by Silk Exporters. 1 further explained to them, the grave situation the silk industry is facing, and the big unemployment in silk weaving industry due to lack of export and local demand for silk going down and the rupee appreciation of about 14%. The Ministers promised that they will take steps to ease the situation as much as possible.
With advance wishes for X Mas, and New Year & Happy Pongal,

Yours sincerely,

T.V. Maruthi
Chairman