India’s garment export sector is setting its sights on a bold $40 billion export target by 2030, and industry leaders are calling for strategic government support to achieve this ambitious goal. The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) recently convened a roundtable discussion with major apparel brands to explore avenues for boosting exports. Key suggestions emerging from the discussion focused on labour law reforms, enhanced workforce skilling initiatives, and a more flexible, industry-friendly fabric import policy.
AEPC Chairman Sudhir Sekhri acknowledged the ambitious nature of the 2030 target while emphasizing the industry’s commitment to reaching it. The council stressed that India’s inherent strengths – its rich design heritage and robust raw material base – must be strategically leveraged. Brand representatives highlighted the need for increased manufacturing capacity and expedited production timelines. Addressing the skilled labour shortage, a significant impediment to the industry’s growth, was also a key point of discussion. Participants noted the positive impact of free trade agreements on order volumes, suggesting that these agreements are proving beneficial for Indian exporters.
A notable trend highlighted during the discussion was the surging global demand for “Made-in-India” knitwear, particularly sweaters. Brands indicated that these items are currently highly sought-after, presenting a significant opportunity for the Indian apparel industry to capitalize on this growing market. The industry is now tasked with ramping up production to meet this rising international demand.
