The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has launched its Pan-India Seminar Series titled “Unlocking Growth Opportunities: FTA Utilisation for Apparel Exporters,” with the inaugural session held in Bengaluru. The initiative is designed to help apparel exporters better understand and leverage India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to enhance export competitiveness and access global markets.
Introduced under the leadership of Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, the nationwide seminar series reflects the Council’s commitment to building industry awareness and enabling exporters to maximise the benefits of preferential trade agreements.
The Bengaluru seminar attracted strong participation from apparel exporters, manufacturers, industry representatives, and trade professionals from Karnataka and neighbouring states, highlighting the growing interest in utilising FTAs to strengthen India’s apparel exports.
Addressing the gathering, Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General, AEPC, emphasised that India’s new-generation FTAs, signed since 2021, have significantly expanded opportunities for the apparel sector by improving market access and reducing tariff barriers. He noted that exporters can fully benefit from these agreements only through a clear understanding of their provisions and effective implementation.
The keynote address was delivered by Dona Ghosh, ITS, Joint DGFT, Bengaluru, who highlighted the strategic role of FTAs in enhancing India’s export competitiveness and encouraged exporters to actively utilise the opportunities available under various trade agreements.
A detailed technical session was conducted by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mangla, Associate Professor, Economics & International Trade, Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS). The session focused on tariff concessions, emerging market opportunities, and practical strategies to improve export competitiveness through effective FTA utilisation.
One of the key highlights of the seminar was a dedicated session on Rules of Origin for the textile sector across different FTAs. Participants gained practical insights into origin requirements, sourcing strategies, procurement planning, and methods to maximise preferential tariff benefits under multiple trade agreements.
The Bengaluru event marks the beginning of a series of seminars that AEPC plans to organise across major apparel manufacturing and exporting hubs nationwide. Through this initiative, the Council aims to equip exporters with practical knowledge that supports sustainable export growth and strengthens India’s position in the global apparel trade.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by C. Eswarasundar, General Manager, Southern Region, AEPC, followed by a networking dinner that facilitated interactions between exporters, policymakers, and industry experts.
