BTTF and Première Vision Sign Strategic MoU to Boost India-France Textile Collaboration
The multi-year partnership aims to connect Indian textile manufacturers, exporters, designers and artisans with premium and high-end global fashion markets.
Strengthening India-France Textile and Fashion Ties
The Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Première Vision SA, one of the world’s leading international platforms for creative fashion, textiles and sourcing, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 2nd September 2026 at the Première Vision exhibition in Paris.
The strategic partnership establishes a multi-year institutional collaboration aimed at strengthening India’s engagement with the global fashion and textile ecosystem across trade, sourcing, design, sustainability and heritage.
The MoU was signed by Dr. A. Sakthivel, Core Committee Member, BTTF and Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), and Ms. Florence Rousson, CEO – Fashion Division, Première Vision SA.
The signing ceremony took place in the august presence of Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms). The occasion was witnessed by prominent industry leaders from India, designers, Export Promotion Council officials, Indian Embassy officials and BTTF leadership.
The MoU builds upon the Letter of Intent (LoI) signed on 14th July 2026 at Bharat Tex 2026 in New Delhi, in the presence of the Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles, translating the earlier vision into sustained collaboration.
Connecting Indian Textiles with Global Fashion
Première Vision has served as an international benchmark for the fashion industry for more than five decades. The new partnership is expected to provide Indian textile manufacturers, exporters, designers and artisans with greater opportunities to connect with international buyers, fashion houses and premium sourcing networks.
A key objective is to support India’s transition from volume-driven exports towards high-value, design-led and premium segments. Première Vision’s trend intelligence platforms are expected to help Indian enterprises align with international market requirements while developing relationships with buyers seeking sustainable and high-quality sourcing solutions.
Opportunities from India-EU Trade Momentum
The partnership comes at an important juncture following the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January 2026.
According to the supplied release, the agreement provided preferential market access on 96.8% of tariff lines covering 99.5% of India’s exports, with 90.7% of exports by trade value expected to become duty-free upon coming into force.
For the textile and apparel sector, the opportunity is particularly significant. The EU’s global textile and apparel imports stood at approximately US$292.8 billion in 2025, while India’s textile and apparel exports to the EU are currently around US$10.4 billion.
The proposed zero-duty access across textile and clothing tariff lines is expected to create opportunities for Indian exporters across garments, textiles, yarns and home textiles, while strengthening India’s competitiveness in the European market.
Industry Leaders Highlight Strategic Importance
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, stated: “Bharat Tex, envisioned under the 5F Vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has emerged as the world’s largest integrated textiles event, with a strong focus on trade, sustainability and investment. This partnership with Première Vision is a natural progression, creating new opportunities to showcase India’s luxury textiles and rich heritage to Europe and the world, while benefiting artisans, weavers, designers, women entrepreneurs and MSMEs across the country.”.
Dr. A. Sakthivel, Core Committee Member of BTTF, stated: “This partnership with Première Vision will connect Indian textiles more closely with global markets while showcasing our rich heritage and advancing sustainability, reinforcing India’s position as a competitive and responsible textile hub.”
Ms. Florence Rousson, CEO of Première Vision’s Fashion Division, added: “We are delighted to partner with BTTF to foster creativity, innovation and responsible sourcing, while creating new opportunities for Indian and French stakeholders across the textile value chain.”
Key Areas of Collaboration
The partnership will be overseen by a Joint Steering Committee, with both organisations collaborating across several areas:
Delegation and Knowledge Sessions: Reciprocal participation of exhibitors, delegations, speakers and experts across both trade shows, supported by joint export promotion and buyer-seller meets.
Export Promotion and Market Linkages: Joint initiatives to strengthen market access through buyer-seller meets, reverse buyer-seller meets, market intelligence exchange and cooperation benefiting both parties.
Sustainability: Promotion of circularity, traceability and responsible production, alongside cooperation on sustainability initiatives at their respective events.
Heritage and Craftsmanship: Establishment of an Eternal Crafts Collaboration to showcase Indian and French heritage and textiles to the international luxury and creative fashion community.
The collaboration will include “A Living Thread”, scheduled for January 2027, showcasing artisans and ateliers working with Indian hand embroidery, handloom and allied heritage techniques alongside French textile heritage.
Building a High-Value Textile Future
By bringing together India’s manufacturing capabilities, diverse textile ecosystem and rich craft traditions with Première Vision’s global fashion and sourcing network across premium and luxury segments, the partnership marks a significant step towards enabling Indian enterprises to access higher-value international markets.
The collaboration also aims to strengthen India’s position as a sustainable, innovative and high-value sourcing destination for the global fashion industry.
