As Indian textile industry’s cotton consumption outnumbers the country’s own production, it needs to import the raw material from other countries. However, Indian govt levies 11% duty on cotton imports.
A delegation from the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) led by its Chairman, Sakthivel, met the concerned union ministers on Wednesday, to discuss the urgent need for reduction of cotton import duty from 11% to 0%.
The representatives of AEPC met Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ji, and Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh. Minister L.Murugan coordinated the delegation meetings and facilitated discussions on strengthening India’s global competitiveness in textiles and apparel exports.
The delegation highlighted that high cotton prices and rising input costs are impacting the competitiveness of Indian apparel exporters, especially at a time when India is expanding trade opportunities through multiple FTAs.
The members of the industry emphasized that reduction in cotton import duty is essential to improve competitiveness, ensure adequate raw material availability, support exports, attract investments, and generate employment across the textile value chain.
