"India exploring global market for textiles: Pabitraji"
By yash chouhan 2025-12-12 16:32:38
Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitraji: India is identifying global destinations to expand the textile sector
New Delhi: The Ministry of Textiles has formulated a comprehensive 40-country market diversification strategy, identifying high-potential global destinations, and is carrying out structured outreach to enhance India's global presence through Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), industry delegations, and Indian missions abroad, Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
The Ministry of Textiles has approved various schemes and programs to encourage and promote the textile industry, such as the PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks scheme for world-class industrial infrastructure; the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for MMF apparel, MMF fabrics, and technical textiles to promote large-scale manufacturing and enhance competitiveness; National Technical Textiles Mission for research, innovation, market development, and skill development.
Other schemes include SAMARTH – a scheme for capacity building in the textile sector; Silk Samagra-2 for sericulture development; Modified Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) for modernization; National Handloom Development Programme, National Handicrafts Development Programme, and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme for end-to-end support to artisans, weavers, and handicraft clusters, the Minister of State said in his written reply.
The government provides various incentives and benefits to enhance the competitiveness of the textile industry in the international and domestic market.
The Minister said that the Ministry, in collaboration with EPCs, has organized India Tex in 2024 and 2025 – a mega global textile event to strengthen international engagement, bring together exhibitors and trade visitors from various countries, and showcase the scale, innovation, and global competitiveness of India's textile ecosystem.
The government is implementing the Remission of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for apparel, garments, and made-ups based on the principles of WTO-compliant zero-rated exports.
The minister said in a written reply, "Textile products not covered under the RoSCTL scheme are being supported under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme, along with other non-textile sectors. Under RoSCTL, more than 15,000 exporters have benefited from rebates on embedded taxes during FY 2024-25." India has signed 15 free trade agreements (FTAs), including the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). He said that these FTAs aim to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, simplify procedures, and address structural issues to make Indian exporters more competitive in partner markets.
The government has approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), which is based on a collaborative framework involving the Department of Commerce, the Ministry of MSME, the Ministry of Finance, and other key stakeholders, including financial institutions, export promotion councils, commodity boards, industry associations, and state governments.
He informed Parliament that the government has exempted import duty on cotton until December 31, 2025, to reduce input material costs for the textile industry, ensure adequate supply, and improve export competitiveness and enhance overall industry efficiency.
He also said that the government has rationalized GST rates across the textile value chain to address structural anomalies, reduce costs, increase demand, boost exports, and maintain employment.
In another written reply, the Minister informed the House that India's exports of textiles and clothing (including handicrafts) in 2024-25 were US$ 37,755.0 million, showing a growth of 5.2 per cent over the previous year (2023-24).
Further, the Minister said that India's exports of textiles and clothing, including handicrafts, during April-October 2025 were US$ 20,401.95 million, showing a marginal decline of 1.8 per cent over the same period last year (US$ 20,728.05 million), yet indicating overall stability in export performance despite global tariff-related and other external challenges. (ANI)
