Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has lauded the government and exporters for achieving the highest ever merchandise exports of $95 billion in Q1 (April-June quarter) FY 2021-22. A Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC said, the $400 billion merchandise export target of FY22 is doable. As per Apparel Resources, export of cotton yarn/ fabrics/made-ups grew by 50.86 per cent in June 2021 over June 2019.

Export of the man-made yarn/fabrics/made-ups, etc grew well during the same period, while export of all textiles declined by 18.76 per cent. However, apparel exports could not benefit much from the resurgence in global demand despite a good order book due to lockdowns in many important states, Sakthivel added.

He said while overall global demand has remained buoyant, the lockdowns in different parts of the country had kept factories in partial shutdown. With decline in daily cases of infection and resumption of economic activities, India is now set to achieve unprecedented export figures this year, he said. He requested the government to ensure personalized management of MSME exports and early clearance of RoSCTL cases pending since January 2021.