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A key textile hub in India, Surat is witnessing a rise in inquiries from major brands seeking alternatives to Bangladesh. Conversion of these inquiries into confirmed orders is likely to spur growth in the city’s garment sector to 25 per cent.
While Bangladesh is a major importer of fabrics from Surat, the ongoing turmoil, brands are seeking more stable sourcing destinations given the current law-and-order challenges in the country along with worker unrest in key regions like Dhaka and Chittagong.
Indian manufacturers see this as an opportunity to supply more value-added products to the global market. Ashish Gujarati, Former President, South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce, says, the recent spike from major brands due to Bangladesh’s challenges could significantly boost the sector.
Surat’s garment sector currently generates a monthly turnover of around Rs 600 crore, primarily through man-made fiber products. Meanwhile, cotton garment hubs in Tiruppur and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Ludhiana (Punjab), and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) are also expected to gain from the situation.
Gujarati emphasised that while the current developments present short-term gains, sustained growth in the garment manufacturing sector would require strategic capitalisation and government support.
The garment industry in Bangladesh has faced mounting pressures, including financial stress and worker unrest in clusters around Dhaka, Chittagong, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and other regions.
Recent reports, such as one from Swedwatch, a Swedish non-profit, have highlighted dire working conditions for garment workers in Bangladesh. The report urged European Union countries to enforce stricter due diligence to protect workers' rights and called on brands to engage more meaningfully with stakeholders, including trade unions, to improve wages and working conditions.
This shifting dynamic represents an opportunity for Indian textile hubs as it allows them to strengthen their position in the global supply chain while meeting the growing demand for sustainable and ethical garment production.
Chanel, the world's second-largest luxury brand, hosted a spectacular Metiers D’Art show in Hangzhou, China, amidst swirling rumors about its next artistic director. The event, attended by 1,100 guests, including stars like Tilda Swinton and Lupita Nyong’o, highlighted Chanel’s focus on its very important clients (VICs), who spend upwards of $20,000 annually.
China's slowing luxury market has affected global brands, including Chanel, which reported $20 billion in revenue for 2023. Chanel's president, Bruno Pavlovsky, highlighted the importance of re-establishing connections with Chinese customers, emphasizing the brand's strategic focus on the region following the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Choosing Hangzhou over fashion hubs like Shanghai was a nod to the city’s artisanal silk heritage and Coco Chanel’s Coromandel screen collection, which inspired the show’s lakefront setting and floral motifs. The collection blended Chanel’s iconic bouclé coats with local silks, jade knits, and pleated skirts, though some designs lacked cohesion.
While the event celebrated craftsmanship, questions linger about Chanel’s creative future. The absence of a bold artistic vision underscored the need for a new designer capable of delivering innovative, exciting fashion that captivates clients and critics alike. For now, Chanel is focused on strengthening ties with its loyal clientele, even as the industry eagerly awaits its next creative leader.
In FY2023-24, India exported wool products worth $1.74 billion with exports of its woolen ready-made garments, carpets, yarn and fabrics amounting to $1.45 billion from April-January 2023-24.
Of these, the share of wool carpets exports was the highest with 80 per cent. In FY24, India exported wool carpets worth $1.34 billion during the year while it exported woolen yarn and fabrics worth $192 million. RMG products worth $202 million were also exported by India in FY24.
India exports its wool fabrics, hand-made carpets and ready-made garments to the US, the UK, Italy, Germany, Australia, UAE, Netherland, Sweden, France, Japan, etc. One of the major importers of wool products from India in 2023-24 was the US which imported products worth $853 million during the year. This was followed by the UK and Germany with imports worth $123 million and $96 million. India also exported wool products worth $86 million to the Italy, $57 million to Australia and $45 million to the UAE during the financial year.
India exported its wool fabrics to Italy, the UK, Korea, Japan, and the US during 2023-24. Italy emerged the major importer of woolen fabrics from India during the year with a share of 25.5 per cent of total exports.
Majority of India’s woolen carpets are exported to the US. In 2023-24, the country exported carpets worth $803 million to the US, with its share constituting 59 per cent of total. India mainly exports woolen ready-made garments to the US, the UK, UAE, Oman, Germany, France, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan. Combined together, these countries accounted for 75 per cent of the total woolen garments’ exports from India during 2023-24.
To improve India’s competitiveness in the wool industry and the quality of its wool products, the Ministry of Textiles allocated Rs 126 crore under the Integrated Wool Development Program (IWDP) scheme during a five-year plan period (i.e. 2021-22 to 2025-26). This scheme aims to harmonise the wool supply chain, link the wool industry and producers, and provide a marketing platform to the smaller woollen products manufacturers in India. Through this scheme, the Ministry of Textiles aims to improve the quality of woolen products by increasing wool testing, improve the tools available for manufacturing and providing skill development and capacity building capabilities to hand-made manufacturers.
China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) has signed an MoU with Pakistan’s Board of Investment (BOI) to develop textile parks in Pakistan.
As per a report by China Economic Net, the MoU was signed at the 2024 China Textile Conference in Keqiao, Shaoxing. Titled, ‘How to take science and technology, fashion and green; as a guide to boost productivity and shape the industry’s future, the report offers a robust framework to develop these textile parks to enhance bilateral trade, foster technology transfer and enhance capacity
Focusing on four core topics ‘Innovation Environment, Materials, Artificial Intelligence, and Production Processes, the Shaoxing conference discussed leading innovative industry trends to promote, transform and optimise the global textile chain.
A backbone of Pakistan’s economy, textile industry is a major contributor to its exports. Being the second largest supplier of cotton cloth and fifth largest cotton exporter, Pakistan offers unmatched potential for this collaboration.
Its strategic location alongwith a skilled workforce and vertical integration positions Pakistan as an ideal partner to these Chinese enterprises, states Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China.
As against a 2.68 per cent growth in India’s apparel exports to the country, Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the US grew by 11.76 per cent during the July-November’24-25 period as against the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s apparel exports to the US grew by 3.98 per cent during period.
Data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) shows, during the period, Bangladesh exported apparel products worth $19.9 billion, of which RMG exports constituted 80.97 per cent.
Bangladesh's share of apparel exports to the US market decreased by 3.33 per cent Y-o-Y during the January-October’24-25 period while China’s decreased by 1.06 per cent.
Bangladesh's RMG exports have been growing with the country becoming the second-largest RMG exporter in the world. In the July 2023-May 2026, Bangladesh’s RMG exports increased by 2.86 per cent to $43.85 billion.
Sri Lanka’s Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) has partnered with global civil society organisation, Solidaridad to help local companies align with the European Union's supply chain rules on human rights and sustainability.
As a part of this initiative, JAAF organised a workshop to address the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The event provided local businesses with insights into risk assessment, sustainability metrics, and due diligence reporting to meet the stringent requirements of the directive.
This collaboration helps Sri Lanka’s apparel industries adapt to evolving global trade norms, says Yohan Lawrence, Secretary General.
Introduced in 2023, the CSDDD mandates companies within EU-bound supply chains to adhere to high environmental and human rights standards. While Sri Lanka’s suppliers are not directly obligated to comply, aligning with these regulations helps them remain competitive in the EU market, which accounts for 30 per cent of the country's apparel exports.
Around 80 per cent of Sri Lanka’s apparel exports to the EU are targeted to countries such as Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and France, which makes compliance a strategic necessity. The workshop also resulting in the signing of an agreement between JAAF and Solidaridad to formalise their partnership to help Sri Lanka’s suppliers meet CSDDD standards.
The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Lars Bredal, Deputy Head, Delegation for the EU to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and Iwan Rutjens, Deputy Head, Mission for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
JAAF hailed Shahid Sangani, Secretary, Free Trade Zone and Apparel Manufacturers' Association (FAAMA), for his behind-the-scenes contributions to the program.
Sri Lanka’s Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) has partnered with global civil society organisation, Solidaridad to help local companies align with the European Union's supply chain rules on human rights and sustainability.
As a part of this initiative, JAAF organised a workshop to address the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The event provided local businesses with insights into risk assessment, sustainability metrics, and due diligence reporting to meet the stringent requirements of the directive.
This collaboration helps Sri Lanka’s apparel industries adapt to evolving global trade norms, says Yohan Lawrence, Secretary General.
Introduced in 2023, the CSDDD mandates companies within EU-bound supply chains to adhere to high environmental and human rights standards. While Sri Lanka’s suppliers are not directly obligated to comply, aligning with these regulations helps them remain competitive in the EU market, which accounts for 30 per cent of the country's apparel exports.
Around 80 per cent of Sri Lanka’s apparel exports to the EU are targeted to countries such as Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and France, which makes compliance a strategic necessity. The workshop also resulting in the signing of an agreement between JAAF and Solidaridad to formalise their partnership to help Sri Lanka’s suppliers meet CSDDD standards.
The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Lars Bredal, Deputy Head, Delegation for the EU to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and Iwan Rutjens, Deputy Head, Mission for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
JAAF hailed Shahid Sangani, Secretary, Free Trade Zone and Apparel Manufacturers' Association (FAAMA), for his behind-the-scenes contributions to the program.
On December 6, 2024, Polish textile industry representatives adopted the Warsaw Declaration, committing to strengthen the sector's competitiveness amid global challenges. The agreement emerged from a two-day meeting in Warsaw under the EU-funded StitchTogether project, which promotes social partnerships in the European textiles and clothing industry.
Poland’s textiles sector, employing 130,000 workers across 20,000 mostly small and medium enterprises, faces mounting pressures from global competition and price volatility. The Warsaw Declaration sets out priorities to navigate the industry’s digital and green transitions while ensuring resilience, decent jobs, and sustainability.
Key stakeholders, including employer associations, trade unions, education institutions, and government representatives, called for upgraded industrial strategies to attract a skilled workforce and sustain the sector.
Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of IndustriAll Europe, stressed the importance of collaboration during periods of transition. She highlighted that social dialogue is essential for managing change, particularly as the textile industry shifts toward sustainability. Kirton-Darling emphasized that this transition must protect existing jobs while also creating new, decent employment opportunities. She called for a Just Transition, underpinned by a sectoral industrial policy, to ensure no worker is left behind.
Dirk Vantyghem, Director General of Euratex, emphasized the strategic opportunity presented by Poland’s upcoming EU presidency. He called for action on energy costs and fair competition, noting that Polish companies are seeking practical solutions rather than additional regulations to enhance their competitiveness.
The meeting reinforced a collective vision for Poland’s textiles industry, leveraging its rich heritage to adapt and thrive in a sustainable future. Stakeholders now call on the Polish government to support their roadmap for innovation and resilience.
The online invitation system for Garment Tech Istanbul 2025, Turkey’s premier exhibition for garment and ready-to-wear technologies, is now live, drawing global attention. The event, set to take place from June 25-28, 2025, at the Istanbul Expo Center, will showcase cutting-edge garment machinery, embroidery equipment, spare parts, and sub-industry innovations.
Professional visitors from over 10 countries, including the UK, India, Australia, Pakistan, Egypt, and China, have already secured their spots through the system. This overwhelming response underscores the exhibition’s growing global significance as a hub for industry innovation.
Garment Tech Istanbul 2025 will bring together leading domestic and international brands, investors, and professionals, creating a unique platform to explore the latest technologies and trends shaping the garment industry. By registering through the online invitation system, visitors can avoid long queues and gain expedited entry. After completing the form, e-invitations are sent via email, enabling visitors to print badges directly at the venue.
Promotional efforts are also in full swing. A newly launched bilingual promotional video, titled Innovative Touch to Fashion, highlights the exhibition’s pivotal role in the industry. Released across the official website and social media channels, the video has received high praise from industry professionals worldwide.
With its comprehensive scope and international participation, Garment Tech Istanbul 2025 is poised to strengthen its reputation as Turkey's most prominent platform for garment technology innovation.
Launched three years ago with €1 million in funding, the ‘Growing Benin's Organic Cotton Sector’ initiative has significantly improved livelihoods for nearly 9,000 small-scale farmers. Spearheaded by OBEPAB with support from BMZ, GIZ, PAN UK, Paul Reinhart AG, and the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), the project enabled farmers to transition to organic cotton cultivation under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard.
Farmers saw a 9 per cent average increase in profitability and a 65 per cent rise in organic cotton production. The initiative also empowered women, with leadership roles among cooperative committees increasing by 30 per cent. Knowledge-sharing on sustainable farming, including organic pest management and seed selection, was a cornerstone of the program.
“Supporting cotton farmers in transitioning to organic cultivation while improving market access has been central to our mission,” said Alexandra Perschau of AbTF. The project connected farmers to global markets, with demand for CmiA and CmiA Organic cotton surging. Bestseller, a major retailer, recently purchased record volumes of African CmiA Organic cotton.
As part of GIZ’s Agri Chains program, the project aligns with broader goals of fostering green, fair, and inclusive supply chains. “This collaboration strengthens the resilience of cotton-growing communities and connects them to global markets,” noted Benjamin Mohr of GIZ.
With momentum building, the project is entering a second phase to further scale organic cotton production in Benin, a nation gaining recognition for high-quality organic textiles. “Benin is poised to become a key destination for organic cotton procurement and processing,” affirmed Alessandra Fiedler of GIZ.
This success story underscores the potential of sustainable agriculture to transform lives while protecting the environment.
