19th September; New Delhi/ Gurugram: When compared to the same period in August 2023, the RMG exports for the month of August 2024 have increased by 11.9%. Between April and August of 2024–2025, RMG exports were USD 6395.0 million.
“The apparel exports kept its growth momentum despite the global headwinds and persisting red sea crisis as well as other challenges such as logistic cost and global inflation,” said Shri Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of AEPC, in reference to this excellent performance. Over the last five months (April to August, 2024–25), RMG exports have grown at an average rate of 7.12%, defying the trend of declining merchandise exports, which in August reached a 13-month low. The industry’s tenacity is quite encouraging. With an emphasis on social and environmental compliance in addition to product quality, the sector is ready to explode into rapid expansion and become a prominent participant in the global apparel export market.
“I’m hoping the growth momentum holds steady. As the global apparel sourcing industry realigns, we are prepared to take center stage. Chairman AEPC noted that long-term policy support for programs pertaining to garment exports will stabilize the policy framework and help push garment exports out of the nation.
Shri Sekhri went on to say, “We have submitted our wish list in our 7-point charter to the government.” Some of our main demands are: flexibility in fabric import; PLI2.0 for capacity augmentation; an extension of the interest equalization scheme for a minimum of five years, with an increased rate of five percent for all exporters; an incentive for ESG compliance; and level playing fields in significant markets like the EU.
Speaking on the RMG export growth Shri Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General AEPC stated that, “In recent months RMG exports have demonstrated an extremely positive trend. The recent surge in RMG exports is a testament to the increasing trust global brands have started reposing on India made products.” Most heartening is the news that engagement with old FTA partner countries like Japan & Korea have also started yielding positive results. Our exports to Japan, Korea, Australia, Mauritius & Norway have grown by 7.7%, 16.8%, 12.5%, 6.6% and 17.3% respectively, in the first quarter of this fiscal year.
Further, SG AEPC observed, “RMG sector holds the key to the generation of massive employment opportunities for the youth and women in India. This labor-intensive sector has all the ability to harness India’s demographic dividend and hence there is a need for the right push and support from the Government, especially when the world is looking for options to switch its sourcing from the conventional destinations, due to the changing geo-political considerations.”
