Punjab Readymade Garments Association urges PM Modi to review 18% GST rate on garments priced above ₹2500.

GST centimeter

Press Release Punjab Readymade Garments Association urges PM Modi to review 18% GST rate on garments priced above ₹2500 7th September 2025 - A special meeting of the Punjab Readymade Garments Association (Retail) was convened, attended by Chairman Naresh Singla, board members, and other members. The meeting was presided over by President Mantar Singh Makkar.

In the meeting, it was unanimously decided to write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman requesting a review of the GST rate on readymade garments. The Association confirmed that the letter has already been sent to the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Finance via email.

The govt's decision to impose 18% GST on apparel priced above Rs 2,500 has not gone down well with textile merchants, who described it as a regressive move. Saying that the move would harm "honest, organised retailers", they expressed concern about its repercussions.

Punjab Textile Merchants Association has written to the finance minister and chairperson, GST Council, Nirmala Sitharam to restore uniform 5% GST on all wedding and festive apparel, across price points, removing the Rs 2,500 cap.

Increasing GST on apparel above Rs 2,500 to 18 percent has imposed a burden on lower and middle income families, they stated."Weddings and festivals are essential cultural occasions where even basic attire often costs above Rs 2,500 due to fabric, craftsmanship, and artisan work. 

The Second Hong Kong Shopping Festival Wraps Up Successfully.

E-commerce Express continues to support Hong Kong SMEs in seizing e-commerce opportunities, with total impressions exceeding 100 million.

The Hong Kong Shopping Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and fully supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), concluded successfully, with over 100 million total impressions across the official website, e-commerce platforms and social media channel, an 11% increase compared to last year.

The HKTDC launched the E-commerce Express this year, with the Hong Kong Shopping Festival serving as the flagship event. Following the festival, E-commerce Express will continue to organise various initiatives aimed at helping Hong Kong SMEs seize opportunities in the mainland e-commerce market.

Showcase India's Strength in Global Trade this November in Melbourne.

Join the Indo-Pacific's premier sourcing event this November—the Global Sourcing Expo in Melbourne, Australia. We invite India’s leading exporters once again to be part of this internationally recognised platform, where demand for Indian apparel, textiles, homewares, footwear and fashion accessories continues to grow in Australia.

This event attracts over 5,000 qualified buyers from Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and beyond—making Melbourne the gateway to the region’s dynamic retail markets.

India has always been a cornerstone of the Expo's international exhibitor base. 

Event runs on unprecedented scale with record number of exhibitor countries and regions, attracting over 10,000 global buyers.

Fair attracts participation of more than 260 brands from 25 countries and regions, achieving its largest-ever scale and level of internationalisation
Over the four‑day period, CENTRESTAGE welcomed over 10,000 trade buyers from 91 countries and regions, with the number of buyers from the UK, Mainland China, India and Indonesia showing significant growth
Internationally acclaimed couturier Guo Pei and world-renowned fashion legend Professor Jimmy Choo OBE hosted talks at the fair; Guo Pei also staged her solo couture show themed “Gilternity: An Everlasting Radiance”, at CENTRESTAGE ELITES
Survey findings reveal that over 55% of respondents expect sales to increase in the coming 12 to 24 months
38% of respondents believe that rising demand from emerging markets is the major opportunity for business, while 36% believe that fashion accessories hold the greatest growth potential for the industry.

Welcomed GST reform: CITI

GST centimeter
CITI India has applauded the recent simplification of the GST structure into 5% and 18% slabs, eliminating the 12% and 28% slabs, noting it will simplify the tax regime and enhance compliance. 
Advocated for uniform rates:
CITI has urged for a uniform 5% GST across cotton, MMF, and machinery to remove the inverted duty structure (IDS), which has caused liquidity issues and strained capital for textile businesses. 

Festive Bonanza

'Big Booster' to retail consumption: Ambani 

How the new GST affects textiles  

Headline: New GST rates (effective Sep 22, 2025) — what it means for textile prices, demand, and working capital.

Summary:
GST re-fitment reduces tax on man-made fibres, yarns and many MMF products (old 18%/12% → new 5%), removing the major inverted-duty pain — result: lower landed costs for MMF chains, faster refunds, and better cash flow for exporters and brands.

Fast facts

Core changes for textiles: many MMF inputs (fibre/yarn) have moved to 5% from 12%/18%, while cotton items largely remain at 5%.

Expected effective date: September 22, 2025 (final product-level notifications from CBIC will confirm exact HSN fitments).

CENTRESTAGE ELITES unveils Guo Pei's Hong Kong solo couture debut, Star-studded runway show highlights 30+ unique creations.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), CENTRESTAGE – the annual gala event for the Asian fashion industry – takes place from 3 to 6 September 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The prestigious opening event, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, took place last night at M+ in the West Kowloon Cultural District, with internationally acclaimed couturier Guo Pei presenting a stunning couture collection.

An overview of the latest apparel consumption and trade data for major supplier and buyer nations.
Apparel Imports in June 2025:
US: US$ 6.5 bn, up 5% YoY
EU: US$ 7.4 bn, up 21% YoY
Japan: US$ 1.6 bn, up 7% YoY
UK: US$ 1.8 bn, up 29% YoY

AMITH - Association Marocaine des Industries du Textile et de l'Habillement (The Moroccan Association of Textile and Clothing Industries) and CEMS-Global USA are thrilled to announce the 22nd edition of the Maroc in Mode (MIM) Show 2025, building upon the remarkable success of the 21st edition held in 2024. The 2024 MIM Show concluded on a high note, firmly establishing itself as a premier textile and apparel sourcing event in Africa. 

The 21st MIM Show 2024 drew significant attention and was characterized by its strategic emphasis on nearshoring—a trend that has gained increasing importance as companies seek efficient and sustainable supply chain solutions, which saw the signing of pivotal agreements that strengthened industry ties and bolstered the regional supply chain.

U.S. Polo Assn., the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), has agreed to a multi-year partnership as the new title sponsor of The Palm Beaches Marathon.

The U.S. Polo Assn. Palm Beaches Marathon, a race owned and managed by Ken Kennerly's K2 Sports Ventures, will be held in Downtown West Palm Beach, Florida, on December 13-14, 2025.

This renowned marathon event is recognized for its beautiful views of the waterfront and palm-tree-lined streets and welcomes runners from across the country and around the world to the warmth of Florida during the cold winter months.