A. Sakthivel has been appointed Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), marking his fifth term at the helm of the apex body for India’s apparel exports. He succeeds Sudhir Sekhri and takes charge at a time when the sector is navigating global demand challenges and shifting trade dynamics.
In his new role, Sakthivel said his focus will be on strengthening India’s position in the global apparel market through close collaboration with the Government of India and industry stakeholders. Key priorities include expanding market access, addressing sustainability and compliance challenges, and mitigating the impact of adverse tariff measures imposed by the United States on Indian apparel exports.
A widely respected industry leader, Sakthivel has played a pivotal role in transforming Tiruppur into a global knitwear hub. Under his leadership and vision, apparel exports from Tiruppur have grown dramatically from about ₹15 crore in 1984 to nearly ₹45,000 crore in FY 2024–25.
Soon after assuming charge, Sakthivel met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and sought an increase in the cap limit under the interest subvention scheme. He emphasised that enhanced interest support would improve liquidity and competitiveness for MSME exporters, who form the backbone of India’s apparel export ecosystem.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed his reappointment, expressing confidence that his experience and long-standing engagement with policymakers will help the sector navigate current headwinds and unlock new growth opportunities.