Apparel Export Performance Reflects Resilience Amid Global Challenges; Policy Support for MSMEs Key to Future Growth: AEPC Chairman.

AEPC Chairman: Apparel Exports Show Resilience Despite Global Headwinds, MSME Policy Support Crucial
The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) today highlighted the performance of India’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) exports, reflecting both the resilience of the sector and the challenges arising from global market volatility.

Commenting on the latest export figures, Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, stated that RMG exports for the month of January 2026 recorded a decline of 3.8% compared to January 2025.

NITMA Delegation Meeting with Hon’ble Ministers on 11.02.2026 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi

Kindly note that the NITMA delegation had a brief but meaningful interaction with the Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, and the Hon’ble Minister of State, Jitin Prasada.

Under the able leadership of President Shri Sidharth Khanna, the delegation was further strengthened by the esteemed participation of Shri Vinayak Mittal (Aarti International Ltd.) and SG Pankaj Sharma.

Dr A Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC – Comment on India–US Trade Deal Breakthrough.

This development is expected to give a strong boost to apparel exports, attract fresh investments across the value chain, and reinforce India’s position as a reliable global sourcing hub. Most importantly, the apparel sector being one of the largest employment generators, this positive move will help secure existing jobs and create substantial new employment opportunities, particularly for women and the workforce in labor-intensive segments.

On the eve of the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), conveyed his sincere appreciation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for his visionary leadership and to the Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce and Industry for his tireless efforts in bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion.
Dr.Sakthivel stated that the European Union is the world’s largest apparel market, and the India–EU FTA represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for India’s garment sector, which currently exports over USD 4.5 billion worth of apparel to the EU. He pointed out that Indian garment exporters have long faced tariff disadvantages compared to competing nations such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey.

PLI Scheme for Textiles Extended till 31 March 2026

The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has extended the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles until 31 March 2026, in response to strong industry participation and significant interest in MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics, and Technical Textiles.
Key updates to the PLI Scheme include:
Expanded product coverage: Inclusion of 8 new HSN codes for MMF apparel and 9 new HSN codes for MMF fabrics, widening the eligibility base.
Flexibility in business structure: Applicants can now establish project units within existing companies, removing the earlier requirement to form new entities.

In a major step towards strengthening Tamil Nadu’s leadership in the global technical textiles value chain, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Textiles and Guidance Tamil Nadu, Government of Tamil Nadu on 25th November 2025 in Coimbatore to launch Techtextil India Summit scheduled from 26 – 27 November 2026 at CODISSIA, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

The MoU formalises the launch of the Tamil Nadu edition of Techtextil India Summit, which will be held in Coimbatore every alternate year beginning 2026. The shared objective is to create a knowledge hub for exchanging expert and technical knowledge in the segment, given its vast growth potential.

The MoU formalizes the launch of the Tamil Nadu edition of Techtextil India Summit, which will be held in Coimbatore every alternate year beginning 2026. The shared objective is to create a knowledge hub for exchanging expert and technical knowledge in the segment given its vast growth potential.

Under this long-term partnership, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India will anchor the next phase of growth for India’s technical textiles sector by conceptualizing, curating and delivering five editions of Techtextil India Summit in Tamil Nadu over the coming decades.

Textile Exhibition in London 
Because Source Fashion, London is where real textile sourcing & B2B deals begin.
Event Venue: Source Fashion Olympia London Hammersmith Rd London W14 8UX
Event Dates: 13–15 January 2026
Top global brands, buyers, manufacturers & suppliers come together.
Credits: The text is taken from Textile Voice WhatsApp official chat. The content has not been edited and reviewed by us.

AEPC Excellence Honours Celebrate Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Competitiveness in Indian Apparel

The AEPC Excellence Honours reflect the collective vision, discipline, and forward-looking spirit that define India’s apparel and textile industry. The achievements of this year’s award recipients, together with the dedication of countless entrepreneurs, manufacturers, workers, and innovators across the value chain, demonstrate steady progress in technology adoption, product diversification, sustainability, and global compliance. This shared commitment is strengthening India’s competitiveness in international value chains and reinforces our resolve to build a resilient and future-ready textile ecosystem.
Credits: H’Ble commerce Minister of India, Pabitra Margherita, MoS for external affairs & Textiles message on the occasion of AEPC Honour Awards produced from the “Book of paper”.

India-NZ FTA Unlocks Textile Export Boom for Indian Manufacturers.

India's landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, signed on December 22, 2025, heralds a game-changer for the textile and apparel sector. This bilateral pact slashes tariffs on over 90% of goods, paving the way for Indian exporters to flood the Kiwi market with competitive ready-made garments, yarns, and fabrics.

From a textile perspective, the deal eliminates duties on high-value exports like cotton knits and man-made fibers, potentially boosting shipments by 25-30% in the next two years.

The recently signed India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is set to open significant new opportunities for India’s apparel and textile sector, strengthening trade, enhancing market access, and enabling smoother mobility of skilled professionals.
CTA Apparels, a leading integrated apparel and textile manufacturer, welcomes the agreement as a timely step that aligns with India’s vision of expanding its global manufacturing footprint while fostering resilient and diversified supply chains.
The CEPA is expected to provide preferential market access, tariff advantages, and improved ease of doing business, particularly for labour-intensive sectors such as garments and textiles. With Oman positioned as a strategic gateway to the Gulf, East Africa, and wider Middle Eastern markets, the agreement enhances India’s competitiveness in high-growth export destinations.

Complied by Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publication, on the occasion of CII Textcon'25 Conference held in New Delhi on 02-12-2025.

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The panel explores how innovation can redefine India's Man-Made Fibre (MMF) ecosystem and drive the next wave of growth in the textile and apparel industry. It focuses on transitioning from a cotton-dominated base to an innovation-led. fibre-diverse model that meets global demand and sustainability goals Discussions cover technological advancements, product diversification, and the adoption of sustainable and circular solutions such as recycling, bio-based fibres, and waste-to-fibre technologies.