Dr. A. Saktivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and IKFA, was present at the signing ceremony, marking a significant milestone in India–EU economic relations. Following the signing, a high-level Business Event was organised at Bharat Mandapam, where Dr. Saktivel represented AEPC and participated in discussions with key stakeholders from government and industry.
The landmark agreement will make apparel exports from India to the European Union duty-free, removing tariffs of around 12 percent. Industry leaders believe this move will significantly enhance the global competitiveness of Indian apparel and is expected to lead to a substantial increase in exports to the EU market in the coming years.
Dr. Saktivel expressed his appreciation for the visionary leadership of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and acknowledged the pivotal role played by Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, in successfully concluding the agreement.
“This agreement marks a transformative moment for India’s apparel sector. Duty-free access to the European Union will open new opportunities for exporters, strengthen India’s position in global value chains, and generate employment across the textile ecosystem,” Dr. Saktivel said.
The India–EU FTA is being hailed as a game-changer for Indian exports, particularly labour-intensive sectors such as apparel, and is expected to deepen economic cooperation between India and the European Union in the years ahead.
