AEPC Chairman Highlights Technology Upgradation and MMF Partnerships at Textile Summit 2026

Industry leaders discuss cluster-led exports, MMF processing, technology adoption and Vision 2030 at Ministry of Textiles summit.

The Textile Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, industry representatives, experts, state government officials and stakeholders from across the textile value chain to discuss measures for achieving the Government's Vision 2030, including the objective of building a USD 350 billion textile ecosystem with USD 100 billion in exports by 2030.

Dr A. Sakthivel, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), participated in the session titled “District & Cluster-Led Export Strategy,” which examined ways to develop districts into export-driven manufacturing hubs through improved collaboration, execution and ecosystem development.

The discussions focused on strengthening district and cluster-based manufacturing, improving infrastructure and logistics, expanding access to finance and developing future-ready skills to support India's textile export growth.

Speaking in the presence of Hon'ble Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh and Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Smt Neelam Shami Rao, Dr Sakthivel highlighted the contribution of textile and apparel clusters to employment generation, exports and regional economic development.

Referring to the growing role of Man-Made Fibre (MMF) products in international trade, Dr Sakthivel called for the promotion of joint ventures and technology partnerships with Taiwan to strengthen India's MMF ecosystem. He said such collaborations could support technology transfer, improve manufacturing capabilities and enhance global competitiveness.

To address workforce requirements, he proposed the development of modern hostel facilities for workers in major textile and apparel clusters. According to him, improved worker accommodation would support labour mobility, enhance worker welfare and help manufacturing centres meet workforce needs.

Dr Sakthivel also emphasised the need for faster technology adoption across the textile industry and proposed the creation of a dedicated fund for technology upgradation. The proposed fund would support investments in modern manufacturing systems, automation, digitalisation and AI-enabled technologies aimed at improving productivity, quality and sustainability.

He further urged the Government to reduce the minimum investment threshold under relevant support schemes to ₹25 crore, enabling wider participation by MSMEs in the textile and apparel sector.

Highlighting the importance of MMF in India's export strategy, Dr Sakthivel stated that MMF fabric processing should be accorded thrust-sector status across all PM MITRA Parks. He said strengthening MMF processing infrastructure would support domestic value-chain development, encourage technology adoption, attract investment and improve India's competitiveness in global MMF markets.

The summit also examined issues related to product and design development, value addition, quality standards, sustainability, utilisation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), market diversification and strengthening India's integration into global textile and apparel value chains.

According to presentations made during the summit, the textile sector contributes 2.3 per cent to India's GDP, accounts for 10 per cent of manufacturing output and employs nearly 50 million people, making it the country's largest employer after agriculture. The sector exports to more than 190 countries.

Dr Sakthivel reiterated AEPC's support for the Government's Vision 2030 and said that investments in technology, workforce infrastructure, cluster development and export-oriented manufacturing would play an important role in achieving the target of USD 100 billion in textile and apparel exports by 2030.

The summit concluded with discussions between the Centre, States and industry stakeholders on strengthening India's position in the global textile and apparel sourcing market.