India's apparel exports to expand by 40% in FY21: AEPC

04 Sep 2020 Evaluate

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman A Sakthivel has said that apparel exports from India will expand by 40 percent in the current financial year (FY21) with major focus on new medical textiles. He said this will take the total apparel exports up from $15.4 billion last fiscal to about $22 billion in 2020-21. He noted that India's free-trade agreement (FTA) with the US would help promote shipments in that country. He added that FTA with USA, the UK and the EU along with CEPA (comprehensive economic partnership agreement) with Australia and Canada can help double apparel exports in three years.

Further, Sakthivel said there is a need to quickly engage in product diversification into man made fibre (MMF) to push the growth of the sector. MMF is the key to increasing India's textile exports to the global market. He said this would need extensive research and development (R&D) into the various fibre base, technologies, processing and sample development. For facilitating R&D into these activities, the council is setting up a dedicated centre at its head office in Gurugram. Further, he said the council would organise virtual trade fairs and exhibitions as lockdowns in many countries have impacted international trade, disrupted global value chains and restricted physical movement.

The chairman further said the objective is to reach out to audiences across segments, irrespective of geographical boundaries and develop personalised connect with buyers. He added that this is aimed at micro, small and medium enterprises who would otherwise not be able to access international buyers during these trying times. 

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