Apparel exports from India in 2017-18 may be 13 per cent higher than a year ago. In the past six months, exporters have seen a sharp increase in orders from the US, the EU and the West Asia. The momentum is expected to continue.

The industry received a Rs 6000-crores textile package last year. Duty exemptions like the refund of state levies also helped Indian apparel manufacturers compete with global players. The industry wants duty drawbacks to continue for at least one year after the goods and services tax is introduced and the GST rate on job work to be cut from 18 per cent to five per cent.

Apparel exporters enjoy nine per cent duty drawbacks in the form of customs, excise and service tax. Meanwhile GST would make fabric imports from China cheaper. Garments priced less than Rs 1,000 will be cheaper by 2 to 2.5 per cent and those priced higher will become 2.5 to 3 per cent costlier.

In eight states where there is significant apparel production, 85 per cent of apparel exporters say that they are substantially benefited by ROSL in their export performance, while 65 per cent rate the impact of ROSL as high or game changing.