According to an official, India seeks to double its textile exports to FTA (Free Trade Agreement) partners and concentrate on conventional and high-value segments, reported Economic Times. These include silk goods, handlooms, carpets, alongside Geographical Indication products. The government also aims to transform its non-exporting districts into exporting ones. The Ministry of Textiles under Giriraj Singh hopes to reach the ambitious target of $100 billion in textile and clothing exports, up from the current $40 billion by 2030.
It is creating a roadmap to increase the country’s share of these exports to its FTA allies from the current 5.8% to about 12%. The move is in addition to improved targeted branding of high-value items.
Additionally, the ministry is focusing on a diversification-driven plan to boost India’s participation in relation to the imports of the top 40 countries from 4.8%, which is $28.3 billio,n to 10%, which is $55–60 billion. About 55% of India’s exports go to traditional markets, including the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom. On the other hand, 20% flow to emerging markets such as Australia, Canada, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka.
An official expressed, “We need to increase the market linkage efforts for products with strong export potential, cultural value and employment intensity.” According to the roadmap, states are expected to branch out into new products, integrate new districts into the export ecosystem and place emphasis on training fresh exporters along with managing first-timers.
The officer mentioned that a strategy based on the best products and markets would be developed as part of the project. The person added that India has 527 districts that export textiles and clothing and noted, “States would be asked to map their clusters with potential and existing export markets.”
With 4.1% of global trade, India is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles. The Modi government has already launched tailored outreach initiatives in 40 countries, including the UK, UAE, Russia, Japan and South Korea, despite 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
