In a landmark decision, the Indian government has banned apparel imports from Bangladesh, a move hailed by the Apparel Made-Ups and Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC) as a critical step towards strengthening India’s domestic apparel ecosystem and reducing reliance on foreign goods.
The policy, backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and spearheaded by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, promoting self-reliance and economic resilience. For years, Indian manufacturers have battled the influx of duty-free Bangladeshi garments, which constituted nearly 35% of India’s ₹6,000 crore apparel imports—often made using Chinese fabrics routed through Bangladesh.
Dr. A Sakthivel, Chairman of AMHSSC, lauded the move, calling it “long overdue” and a necessary correction to restore fair competition. The ban is expected to generate over ₹1,000 crore in domestic business, boost investments, and create large-scale employment across the textile value chain, especially benefiting MSMEs.
AMHSSC is mobilising efforts to ramp up skilling, reskilling, and upskilling programs to meet the anticipated surge in demand for trained manpower. The Council is working closely with industry partners to ensure a steady pipeline of certified talent across manufacturing, design, logistics, and retail.
The decision is a strategic economic shift aimed at cutting indirect Chinese supply lines, empowering Indian businesses, and reinforcing India’s global competitiveness in the textile sector.
