Posted On:
23 OCT 2026 4:37PM by PIB Bengaluru
Shri P. Sivakumar, IFS, Member Secretary, Central Silk Board (CSB), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and Secretary General of the International Sericultural Commission (ISC), participated in the 7th Philippine Silk Summit 2026, held on 21-22 October, 2026 at Baguio City, Philippines. The summit was organized by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), Department of Science and Technology, Government of the Philippines (DOST-PTRI), under the theme “Championing the SEDA Pilipinas Innovation Ecosystem.” The two-day event brought together the officials from international organizations/institutes, researchers, stakeholders from the silk and textile sectors to exchange knowledge, explore collaborations and discuss opportunities for strengthening the silk value chain.
During the summit, Shri Sivakumar participated the inaugural session and engagements associated with the KatHABI ASEAN Silk Expo, the SEDA Pilipinas Consortium Meeting, and the Silk Farmers and Weavers’ Forum. The programme also featured plenary sessions on “Global Silk Connection” and “Advancing Cross-Sector Partnerships,” providing a platform for discussions on international cooperation, innovation and collaboration across the silk sector. As a plenary speaker, he delivered a talk on “Shaping the Future of the Global Silk Industry”, articulated the importance of international knowledge exchange and cooperation in advancing the silk sector.
Shri P. Sivakumar highlighted various schemes, initiatives and strategic interventions undertaken by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, to empower the silk fraternity, enhance stakeholder awareness and strengthen the sericulture value chain. He also shared perspectives on emerging plans and proposals for the development, utilization and value addition of diverse textile fibres, emphasising the importance of focused research, technological innovation and sustainable practices. He underscored how these concerted efforts contribute to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, while enhancing India’s global competitiveness and strengthening its position in the international silk and textile industry.
During his address, Shri P. Sivakumar invited the researchers, delegates and other stakeholders attending the forum to participate in the 27th International Sericultural Commission Congress (ISCC 2026), scheduled to be held from 23-27 November, 2026 in Chennai, India. He encouraged the international sericulture community to use the Congress as a platform to exchange ideas, share scientific knowledge & research outcomes, and strengthen collaboration across the sericulture & silk value chain. He emphasized the importance of bringing together researchers, industry representatives, farmers, weavers & other stakeholders to explore innovations, share best practices and collectively contribute to the sustainable development and global advancement of the silk industry.
His participation also provided an opportunity to share perspectives from India’s sericulture experience and engage with stakeholders working towards the development of sustainable silk value chain.
India has a well-established sericulture ecosystem supported by research, technology development, extension services and institutional support through the Central Silk Board and its network of research and training institutes. Participation in international platforms such as the Philippine Silk Summit provides opportunities to exchange experiences, strengthen institutional linkages and explore areas of mutual interest in sericulture research, silk production and value addition.
On 23 October 2026, Shri P. Sivakumar, IFS, Member Secretary, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and Secretary General of the International Sericultural Commission, held interactions with fibre and textile industry stakeholders at the Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), Bicutan, Taguig City, to explore potential areas for trade partnerships, economic cooperation and commercial ties between India and the Philippines. The programme also included meetings with the Ambassador of India, representatives of I-WE, and garment importers associated with FICCI-Phil, providing opportunities to discuss industry engagement and avenues for strengthening bilateral textile cooperation.
The discussions involved Ms. Julie Ann S. Venzon, Founder and CEO, and Mr. Ricky Venzon, Co-Founder of AbacaTek; Ms. Charmagne Kaye C. Diaz, CEO, CKDiaz Worldwide Enterprise; Ms. Evangeline Flor C. Manalang, OIC-Office of the Director, DOST-PTRI, who joined virtually; and Mr. Cris Angelo M. Pagtalunan and Mr. Philip Aljon M. Basat, Science Research Specialists II, DOST-PTRI. Shri Sivakumar also held sideline meetings with Dr. Anthony C. Sales (CESO III), Regional Director, DOST Region XI (Davao Region), and Dr. Carlos C. Tomboc, former Director of DOST-PTRI. The engagements provided a platform to exchange perspectives on fibre and textile industry capabilities, identify potential areas for trade and investment, and strengthen institutional and industry-level linkages, contributing to enhanced India-Philippines cooperation in the textile sector.
The summit concluded on 22 October 2026, reinforcing the role of international platforms in connecting silk-producing communities, researchers, government institutions and industry stakeholders towards the continued development of the global silk sector.
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