The Union Government has embarked on a series of proactive measures aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of the Indian textile sector, with a target of expanding the industry's size from $ 160 billion to $ 350 billion, including a substantial increase in exports to $ 100 billion. Central to this endeavor is ensuring raw material security, both in terms of availability and quality, to capture a larger share of the international market.

In line with this objective, the Union Commerce Minister has been actively pursuing favorable Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), with the latest being the agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Such agreements aim to facilitate not only raw material procurement but also diversification and expansion of export markets.

In a recent development, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has exempted Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF) imports under the Advance Authorization Scheme from Quality Control Order (QCO) compliance, a move welcomed by industry stakeholders. S K Sundararaman, Chairman of The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA), lauded the government's decision, emphasizing its role in bolstering exports and strengthening the brand image of Indian textiles globally.

Dr. Sundararaman also highlighted the importance of similar exemptions for Polyester Fibre and its raw materials, underscoring polyester's significance as a growth engine for the Indian textile industry. These measures, coupled with initiatives like the Bharat Tex Expo, are expected to create substantial opportunities for increasing global trade and driving the sector's growth.