The government has approved Rs 17 crore (Rs 170 million) for the construction of apparel parks in identified clusters, including Surat, Ludhiana, Bangalore, Chennai and Tirupur.

As part of the above, the Apparel Export Promotion Council has joined hands with the Garment Manufacturers Association to organise the first buying house meet at Ludhiana (industrial town in Punjab).

And is taking nearly 28 leading buying houses from the capital to Ludhiana where 26 leading manufacturers will display their garments to these busing houses. Factory visits are also on the cards.

Talking to Business Standard, Vijay Mathur, director, AEPC said: "The government is looking at long term gains now. And such initiatives will facilitate in exposing the potential offered by the country. Which in turn will give a major boost to the country's export turnover."

He further added that since the government has declared Ludhiana as Town of Export Excellence, AEPC's aim is to help it move up the value chain.

"We want to upgrade the export profile of the city by bridging the gap between the buyers and the manufacturers," he said.

Of the total export turnover of Rs 8,500 crore (Rs 85 billion) from the northern region (comprising  Delhi, Jaipur and Ludhiana), Ludiana alone contributed Rs 705 crore (Rs 7.05 billion).

"This is without any backing from the government. Once the buyers realise the quality it can offer, the sales will see a major jump," he added.

While the apparel export turnover has already grossed Rs 21,400 crore (Rs 214 billion), AEPC expects it to cross Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 250 billion) by March this year. And is projecting it to grow to Rs 26,000 crore (Rs 260 billion) in the next financial year.