The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has welcomed the renewed momentum in India-Canada trade relations following the resumption of discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Dr A. Sakthivel, Chairman of AEPC, expressed optimism about the strengthening bilateral engagement between the two countries, particularly following the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who addressed the CEO’s Forum alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The interaction reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to deepen economic cooperation and move forward with a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
Emphasising the potential benefits for the apparel sector, Dr Sakthivel noted that India’s current apparel exports to Canada stand at around USD 250 million. With the signing of the CEPA, he expects exports to double within the next three years, while also opening up opportunities for investment and employment generation. He added that the comprehensive trade framework could act as a strong foundation for expanding bilateral trade and encouraging new investments based on the complementary strengths of both economies.
He also highlighted that the partnership could support collaboration in areas such as sustainable energy production, positioning India as a responsible sourcing destination for global buyers. Dr Sakthivel further appreciated the commitment of both leaders toward science-based, inclusive and equitable climate action.
According to him, stronger ties between the two countries could also lead to technology transfer, research and development collaborations, and advancements in AI and automation, enabling the apparel industry to enhance production capabilities and improve global compliance standards.
Dr Sakthivel also noted that both leaders acknowledged the importance of skills development and talent mobility, which can further strengthen people-to-people connections and unlock the shared economic potential of India and Canada.
