Ludhiana: Punjab Cabinet Minister for Industries, Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power and Local Government Sanjeev Arora on Saturday urged the textile and garment industry to prioritise research and development (R&D) to maintain its global competitiveness. Addressing a session titled “Textiles, Apparels and Technical Textiles” during the second day of the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026, he highlighted the role of indigenous institutions in driving innovation and technological advancement in the sector.
Calling Punjab Agricultural University a “diamond mine” for research and innovation, Arora encouraged industrialists to collaborate with the university to develop new technologies and strengthen the textile ecosystem. He also reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting R&D initiatives under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The minister praised the garment manufacturing sector of Ludhiana, describing it as among the best in the world. He stressed the need for sustainable practices in the industry, particularly the utilisation of paddy straw for producing technical textiles, noting that converting agricultural residue into industrial resources could address environmental challenges while creating new economic opportunities.
