As per latest Wazir Textiles Index (WTI), India’s overall textile and apparel exports in H1 FY19 declined 1 per cent to $18.4 billion from the previous year. Apparel exports declined by 16 per cent this half year, largely due to the decline in apparel exports to the UAE, which dropped inexplicably by 55 per cent during H1 FY19.

India’s overall textile and garment exports to UAE also declined by around 50 per cent during first half of FY19. The EU, US and UAE remained the top export destinations for India’s textiles and garment products.

Textile and clothing imports during the period increased by 4 per cent compared to the previous year. Apparel imports increased by 56 per cent, primarily due to the impact of reduced effective import duties post GST for imports from countries like China and Bangladesh. China continues to be the largest import partner for India, however, the imports declined marginally by 0.4 per cent in H1 FY19 as compared to the previous year.