India’s apparel export sector is navigating a challenging global environment with resilience and innovation. Despite issues like inflation and fluctuating international demand, RMG exports from India grew by 9.8 per cent in November 2024. Cumulative exports for April-November 2024-25 expanded by 11.4 per cent Y-o-Y to $9,853.9 million.
Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), attributes this growth to adaptive strategies and government initiatives. India’s apparel sector demonstrates its potential to outpace global competitors with the right investments and reforms, he says.
While some major apparel-exporting nations have faced slowdowns, India’s RMG exports have maintained a strong growth trajectory. This performance is further boostred by factors such as improved product acceptance, evolving consumer trends, and factories focusing on compliance with government-supported measures.
The sector looks forward to the proposed PLI (Production Linked Incentive) 2.0 Scheme, which aims to incentivize investments in garment manufacturing with a lower investment threshold. Sekhri also highlights plans to organize dedicated investment sessions during the Bharat Tex Expo 2025 to attract industry players.
For investments to yield attractive returns, maintaining a competitive exchange rate is critical. The industry also needs to ensure availability of developed land with robust infrastructure, skilled manpower, and seamless connectivity to ports. To achieve this, the government’s PM MITRA (PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Scheme is creating mega textile parks, a flagship initiative to strengthen India’s textile ecosystem.
Reducing production and logistics costs remains essential to enhancing India’s competitiveness. Additionally, attracting new entrants, including start-ups and foreign direct investment (FDI), is pivotal. Focused policies to support these stakeholders will further drive sectoral growth.
With its ability to adapt and innovate, supported by strategic investments and policy reforms, the Indian apparel export sector is poised for sustained growth. As global challenges persist, the sector’s resilience underscores its readiness to solidify India’s position as a leading player in the global apparel market.
