At the recently convened seminar in Tiruppur, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC)  urged regional garment manufacturers to leverage India's expanding network of Free Trade Agreements.

Industry leaders attending the seminar emphasized,  upcoming trade pacts, including the anticipated framework with the European Union, will grant zero-duty access across vast consumer markets where local manufacturing capacity remains limited. Dr A Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, urged regional exporters to scale production capacities and refine cost competitiveness immediately. Prepare yourself for export, increase your capacity, and the future is ours, stated Dr. Sakthivel, highlighting that the nation's trade agreements will soon cover thirty-eight countries and roughly 65 per cent of the global population.

Navigating technical compliance and rules of origin

Translating preferential tariff access into tangible export orders requires rigorous adherence to documentation and sourcing standards. D Sridhar, Additional DGFT official advised Tiruppur manufacturers to master product classification and Rules of Origin protocols ahead of 2027 implementation targets. Experts noted,  compliance must be integrated directly into product costing and supply chain strategies rather than treated as an afterthought. By utilizing digital self-certification platforms and optimizing raw material sourcing for garments, southern textile exporters can secure a decisive competitive edge against rival international manufacturing hubs.

Institutional support for garment exporters

Operating as India's premier export promotion body, the Apparel Export Promotion Council supports apparel manufacturers across domestic and international markets. Focusing on export expansion, capacity building, and policy advocacy, the council aims to elevate India's standing in global garment supply chains through targeted trade seminars and international exhibitions.