India and China can cooperate to maximise their advantages and corner a larger share of the market for textiles and apparel, officials from both countries said on Wednesday.China’s advantages in man-made fibre and greater fabric capacity can complement India’s edge in cotton yarn and design, said a team of Chinese trade and textile industry officials. They said there were also opportunities in research and development and technology transfers between the two countries, which are more often seen as rivals than potential partners. “After the elimination of quotas, both countries should work together. We can push our individual advantages for mutual benefit,” said Chen Shuyin, Vice-President of China National Textile and Apparel Council, in its second India visit in eight months.A team of Chinese textile machinery manufacturers also visited India recently and struck several deals with local firms. “Indian textiles and products enjoy a high reputation in the Chinese market, and there are several areas for cooperation between the two countries,” Shuyin said. A partnership was critical in light of attempts by European and U.S. negotiators to curb China’s surging textile exports, officials said. — Reuters
