NITMA Welcomes Exemption on Cotton Import Duty; Urges GST Rationalization Across MMF Value Chain.

The Northern India Textile Mills Association (NITMA) has lauded the Government of India’s decisive move to exempt import duties on all varieties of cotton (HSN 5201), effective from August 19 to September 30, 2025, as notified by the Ministry of Finance (Notification No. 35/2025-Customs dated 18.08.2025). The exemption covers 5% customs duty, 5% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC), and 1% additional cess, offering much-needed relief to the textile industry.

Shielding Textile & Apparel Exports in Tariff Turbulence
The US tariff hike of 25% poses a substantial challenge for Indian exporters, especially in the textile and apparel sector, which alone accounts for over $10 billion of India’s exports to the US. The pressure is further compounded by high domestic interest rates, global competition, and the pending rollout of the ₹2,250 crore Export Promotion Mission.

Strategic Priorities for the Textile & Apparel Industry.

This is a defining moment for the textile and apparel sector. By aligning government support with industry innovation, India can transform this short-term disruption into a long-term opportunity to become a more competitive and diversified global sourcing hub.

Proposed US Tariffs: “Balanced Trade is Key to Sustainable Growth”
Responding to former US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks indicating the possibility of higher tariffs on Indian exports—referencing the US-Indonesia trade model—Dr. Mukesh Kansal, Chairman of CTA Apparels, emphasized the importance of a balanced and collaborative approach to international trade.
“As global trade dynamics evolve, it is important for India to engage with such developments thoughtfully. Trade arrangements that ensure mutual benefit and stability are essential for sectors like textiles and apparel that are highly employment-intensive,” Dr. Kansal said.
He highlighted that sustained growth in manufacturing and exports relies on predictable policy environments and equitable access to international markets.

Dhaka International Textile & Apparel Expo – 2025

Event Dates: To be held from 9-11th Oct. 2025

Event Venue: To happen @ BDFCC, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Organizers: The event is been organized in association/alliance with the key associations/trade bodies such as BGMEA, BKMEA, BGEA, BGBA, involving multi/core stakeholders of the Bangladesh apparel sector per se.

Connect with Australia's Top Buyers in Apparel, Textiles, Footwear & Homewares in November.

After a successful Sydney edition with outstanding participation from Indian exhibitors and enthusiastic feedback from visitors, we’re excited to invite you to be part of the Global Sourcing Expo Melbourne, happening 18–20 November 2025 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This is your chance to connect directly with Australian trade buyers actively seeking to source textiles, apparel, homewares, footwear and more from global suppliers. With momentum from Sydney and increasing visitor numbers year after year, Melbourne 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark event for global sourcing.

EVENT NAME: IIGF, Spring/Summer 2026

Event Dates: 01-02-03 July, 2025

Event Venue: Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi (India) 

Inaugurated by: Pabitra Margherita, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Textiles, Govt. of India.

The best display award to the participants of the 73rd Edition of India International Garment Fair (IIGF) was given today by Rakesh Vaid, Senior Vice-Chairman of Apparel Training and Design Centre (ATDC) and Animesh Saxena, Vice- Chairman, International Garment Fair Association (IGFA). The eminent jury finalized the winners.

India Exposition Mart Limited (IEML), a leading exhibition and convention hub in Asia, has entered a strategic alliance with Garment Technology Expo Pvt. Ltd. to co-host and scale up the renowned Garment Technology Expo (GTE)—India’s premier event for garment manufacturing technology. This collaboration aims to pool the strengths of both organizations to elevate the scale, scope, and impact of GTE.

With a legacy spanning over 25 years, GTE will continue under the visionary leadership of its Founder & Chairman Mr. Inderjit S. Sahni, alongside Managing Director Mr. Ricky Sahni. The GTE board will also include Mr. Mukesh Gupta, Director, and Mr. Sudeep Sarcar, CEO, from IEML, strengthening the organizational framework.

Salil Chawla, Director of DFU Publications, caught up with Rakesh Kumar, Director General of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts and Chairman of India Exposition Mart Limited, on the sidelines of today’s event to announce a strategic partnership between GTE and IEML, Noida.

“I’m truly delighted to share the news of this strategic collaboration with GTE Expo,” Rakesh Kumar shared. “This partnership is aimed at expanding GTE’s footprint across India. We’re planning shows not just in Delhi, but also in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.”

He emphasized that the collaboration would deliver immense value to stakeholders while offering a fresh vision for India’s garment technology industry.

Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) will host the 3rd Man Made Fibre Conclave 30th June 2025 at Vivanta Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

Theme: Global Trade Dynamics: Strengthening India's Position in the Manmade Fibre (MMF) Value Chain.

Event Dates: 30th June, 2025

India's clothing exports witnessed a healthy 13% increase in May in comparison to last year, registering a sanguine trend of robust double-digit growth trajectory.

This persistent growth/rise, reflected by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), is broadly on account of Western purchasers (the biggest consumer of textiles globally) increasingly looking to India as a credible alternative/preferred destination to other erstwhile sourcing hubs like China and Bangladesh.

Again, the shifting trend is visibly partly spurred by political instability/upheaval in Bangladesh, more particularly after the advent of an interim government following its leadership change/Sheikh Hasina regime last August.

EPCH appoints Neeraj Khanna as new Chairman during the 199th meeting. At the 199th meeting of its Committee of Administration, the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) appointed Neeraj Khanna as its new chairman.

The Council also appointed Sagar Mehta as the vice chairman during the meeting.

Given that India is in a good place today, the apex council continues to play a pivotal catalytic role in positioning/promoting India as a preferred and reliable global supplier of quality handicraft products to the realigned global marketplace.

After a successful launch at Kingpins Amsterdam, Made in Japan is heading to the U.S. for its New York debut at Kingpins New York. A select group of Japanese mills and manufacturers will join the lineup at the July 23-24 show at Basketball City.