To push India’s apparel exports, AEPC is targeting new markets like Latin America, Australia and Israel. The council is also actively engaging with Indian missions to explore export opportunities for the sector, says Narendra Goenka, Chairman. In 2022-23, AEPC expects India’s apparel exports to reach $19 billion. It is also trying to create a brand India image for sustainable growth, Goenka adds.

Goenka says, production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for man-made fibers and technical textiles will help attract investments and push domestic manufacturing and in turn exports from the country. FTAs with countries like the UK and the UAE will also boost India’s apparel exports, adds Goenka.

Goenka, feels the biggest hurdle in the growth of India’s apparel imports are raw high material prices and the removal of import duty could reduce these prices considerably, helping India’s apparel exports reach $20 billion in fiscal 2022-23 He has urged the government to reintroduce the duty-free facility for importing trimmings and embellishments that foreign buyers demand from outside India. He believes, besides removal of import duties, India also needs to build additional production capacity and promote brand India as there is good demand in the export market. It needs to create a brand India by promoting exports in the international market.