Addressing a press conference here today, Goyal said that CIAE has urged to Union government to simplify procedures and to induce transparency in the export quota distribution. He criticised the present practice of few exporters, holding big export quota and manipulating in higher premium, and urged the Centre to stop such imbalances.

Apparel exports is the largest net foreign exchange earner for the country and accounts for approximately 16 per cent of India's total export. Though the figure of exports is impressive, the country's contribution in world exports of garments is less than 3 per cent, which is most insignificant and offers a vast potential for old and new exporters, Goyal added.

The garment export has posted an 8 per cent growth to Rs 22,000 crorefor the year ended March 31, 1999. The confederation has decided to have an annual charities and awards function wherein they will honour and award some of the leading personalities from the trade and also promote upcoming new student designers and for the very first time acknowledge the people behind the industry like the service sector namely the clearing and forwarding agents.

Meanwhile, CIAE vice-president Monesh Mirchandani stated that the confederation through its Website cia.org has been helping fellow exports in a big way. "We are also planning interactive chat shows on the net so that our members from all over the world can send in their queries and they would be answered by our expert panel," he added.