Garment Industry: Best Apparel Manufacturers In India | IBEF (2024)

Introduction

Export Trend

India is the sixth largest exporter of textiles and apparel products in the world with a massive raw material and manufacturing base. During 2022-23, the share of textile and apparel in India’s total exports was 8.0% while India’s share of the global trade in textiles and apparel stood at 5%. Despite unprecedented logistics issues, India registered the highest-ever exports at US$ 35.58 billion in textiles and apparel (T&A) including handicrafts in FY23. Textile products worth a total of US$ 1.81 billion were exported in February 2024 as compared to US$ 1.52 billion in February 2023. Apparel exports were US$ 1.41 billion in February 2023 and US$ 1.48 billion in February 2024. In FY23 exports of ready-made garments (RMG) stood at US$ 16.19 billion showing a growth of 1.1% over 2021-22.

Based on product category, exports during 2022-23 witnessed a decline of -28.45% in cotton textiles followed by a decline of -11.86% in man-made textiles, 1.10% growth in ready-made garments (RMG) and -19.13% decline in handicrafts. Exports of Cotton Fabrics and Madeups stood at US$ 10.58 billion during April 2023-February 2024.

The Narendra Modi government is targeting US$ 250 billion in textiles production and exports of US$ 100 billion by 2030. This roadmap for achieving this production and export target was discussed by Mr. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Textiles, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Commerce and Industry, at the Chintan Shivir organized by the Ministry of Textiles.

Top Export Destinations

India’s textile and apparel products, including handlooms and handicrafts, are exported to more than 100 countries across the globe. India’s key export destinations for textiles and apparel products include countries namely the USA, Bangladesh, UK, UAE, Germany, and among others. The USA is the largest importer among all, importing about one-fourth of the total exports from India.

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H M Clothing Company - Manufacturer from Samalka, New Delhi, India

During 2022-23, the USA was the top export destination for the textile and apparel industry, accounting for a 29% share of overall exports which has grown from a 24% share witnessed in 2019-20. India and UAE signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that went into effect on May 1, 2022, and the country was also in the process of negotiating FTAs with the EU, Australia, UK, Canada, Israel, and other countries/regions which is likely to boost exports of Indian textile and apparels in future by providing a competitive edge over other exporting countries. Furthermore, India’s consolidated foreign direct investment (FDI) policy circular 2020 provides 100% FDI in single-brand product retail trading and up to 51% FDI in multi-brand retail trading, subject to certain conditions. This continues to attract leading international retailers to source their garment and home textiles requirements from India and drives interest from new export destinations.

Government Initiatives

As the textile industry is crucial for India’s growth, the government of India has implemented several schemes for the growth of production and ease of trade. The Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) and the Advance Authorization (AA) schemes are focused on strengthening and increasing the production of textile and apparel products in the country.

Over the last few years, the Government of India has launched various other initiatives to promote the textile and apparel industry such as production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for technical textiles, setting up of seven PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) parks in greenfield/brownfield sites and implementing Textile Cluster Development Scheme (TCDS) from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The government has also approved the continuation of the Scheme for Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies on the Export of Garments and Made-ups (RoSCTL scheme) up to March 2024 to boost the export competitiveness of Indian apparel and made-ups. The Government will continue the RoSCTL scheme until it gets merged with the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme. For this purpose, the Government made an ad-hoc allocation of funds of Rs. 73.98 billion (US$ 900 million) in 2020-21 for the issuance of duty credit scrips under the RoSCTL Scheme. Further, the government has removed the anti-dumping duty (ADD) on purified terephthalic acid (PTA), viscose staple fibre (VSF), and acrylic to promote exports in the man-made fibre (MMF) sector. National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) was launched from financial year 2020-21 and valid until March 31, 2026, with an outlay of US$ 178.74 million (Rs. 1,480 crore), with a view of positioning the country as a global leader in Technical Textiles. The Mission has four components – component 1 which includes research, innovation and development, component 2 which includes promotion and market development, component 3 which includes export promotion, and component 4 which includes education, training and skill development. So far, 137 research projects have been approved under the component 1 of NTTM. The total cost approved of the said projects by the Government is US$ 57.33 million (Rs. 474.7 crore (approx.)).

Inspired by the 5F Vision of the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, Bharat Tex 2024, the largest global textile event in India with a unified Farm to Fashion focus, was held in New Delhi in February 2024. The four-day event witnessed an overwhelming response from Indian and global players including top brands and retailers. The mega event was organised by a consortium of 11 Textile Export Promotion Councils and supported by the Ministry of Textiles. The event focused on trade, investment, and sustainability, attracting over 3,500 exhibitors, 3,000 buyers from 111 countries, and over one lakh trade visitors. Spanning around 2 million sq. ft. across two venues, Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi, the event highlighted the entire textile value chain, featuring highlights like Vastra Katha, an artistically curated textile narrative. Multiple Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed during the event.

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