A 45-member delegation representing ten leading textile and apparel associations met Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, along with Shri Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, to discuss key issues concerning the sector and emerging global trade opportunities.
The delegation was led by Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). Prominent representatives from the Garment Exporters and Manufacturers Association (New Delhi), Delhi Exporters Association, Tirupur Exporters Association, South India Hosiery Manufacturers Association, Southern India Mills Association (Tiruppur), and the Association of Garment Exporters of Sitapura (Jaipur), among others, were present during the meeting.
During the interaction, Shri Piyush Goyal urged stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain to proactively leverage the opportunities arising from India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). He emphasized the need for effective utilisation of these agreements to enhance export competitiveness, expand market access, and strengthen India’s position in global supply chains.
In a significant development, the Commerce Minister informed the delegation that India is expected to sign a trade agreement with the United States shortly. He indicated that benefits comparable to those currently extended to Bangladesh’s textile industry are most likely to be extended to India as well. Such a move is expected to provide a substantial boost to India’s textile and garment exports, particularly in the highly competitive US market.
Industry representatives welcomed the government’s proactive trade engagement and expressed confidence that the anticipated agreement would enhance India’s export prospects, generate employment, and further consolidate the country’s position as a reliable sourcing destination.
The meeting reflects continued collaboration between the government and industry to accelerate growth in the textile and apparel sector, one of India’s largest employment-generating industries and a key contributor to the country’s export economy.