As India prepares to host the Bharat Tex 2026 mega-event in new delhi, the apparel export promotion council (AEPC) is shifting its focus toward aggressive supply chain integration. at a recent high-level roundtable in Bengaluru, Dr A Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, addressed representatives from 40 global retailers - including Walmart, PVH, and Ralph Lauren - regarding the industry’s critical technology and quality gaps. in a notable strategy shift, the council proposed active collaboration with the Taiwanese textile industry to import advanced synthetic yarn manufacturing technologies. Acknowledging that domestic fabric quality remains a hurdle, the leadership suggested that short-term imports of specialized materials may be required while India builds a more robust, traceable, and compliant internal ecosystem to meet the standards of premium global sourcing.

Trade agreements set the stage for a decade of industrial growth

The industry's current roadmap is heavily influenced by a suite of new free trade agreements (FTAs) with advanced economies, which leaders believe marks the beginning of a defining decade for Indian exports. Naren Goenka, Chairman, Bharat Tex emphasized, the current geopolitical climate offers India a unique window to emerge as the preferred alternative to traditional sourcing hubs. beyond mere manufacturing, the discussions highlighted a move toward circularity and mandatory traceability, reflecting the sustainability requirements of major buying houses like marks & spencer and C&A. by urging international brands to move beyond transactional relationships and proactively promote India’s capabilities, the council aims to transform the domestic apparel sector from a garment assembly hub into a technologically advanced, end-to-end global supply chain leader.