To help domestic manufacturers navigate the complexities of international trade, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has commenced a high-level Pan-India seminar series, ‘Unlocking Growth Opportunities: FTA Utilization for Apparel Exporters.’
The seminar series was inaugurated on June 25, 2026 in Bengaluru. The series is moving through key apparel hubs - including Ludhiana, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Chennai - through September 2026. This initiative addresses the critical need for technical proficiency in rules of origin, compliance documentation, and procedural navigation required to fully capture the benefits of India’s recently concluded Free Trade Agreements, including the landmark pact with the European Union.
Bridging the knowledge-execution gap
While tariff elimination offers immediate price advantages, the practical application remains a hurdle for many medium and small-scale units. Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General, AEPC, emphasizes, effective utilization of these agreements is essential for maintaining an edge in a highly competitive global market. The seminars provide granular insights into market-specific opportunities and government-backed support mechanisms designed to ease the transition into high-value sourcing partnerships. Industry stakeholders view these sessions as vital for MSMEs, which form the backbone of the sector, to transition from basic production toward integrated, value-added exports that meet the rigorous standards of premium international retail chains.
Promoter of global apparel exports
AEPC is the primary Indian government-backed body promoting global apparel exports. It supports exporters through policy advocacy, market intelligence, and trade facilitation. Representing a massive industrial base, AEPC focuses on enhancing manufacturing competitiveness, quality compliance, and global market integration to meet India’s long-term textile export objectives.
