Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman (AEPC , IKFA) & Honorary Chairman (TEA) along with a delegation from the apparel industry, met Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal Ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ji, and Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh Ji to discuss the urgent need for reduction of cotton import duty from 11% to 0%.
Shri Dr. L. Murugan Ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, 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 industry emphasised 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.
