AEPC Delegation Meets Piyush Goyal to Discuss FTAs and Textile Exports

On 11 February 2026, a delegation headed by Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), met Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, and Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, in New Delhi.

The delegation comprised representatives from the Tiruppur textile cluster and industry bodies, including Mr. K. M. Subramanian, President, Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA); Mr. Elangovan, Vice President, TEA; Mr. P. P. K. Paramasivam, Advisory Committee Member; Mr. R. Ramu, Executive Committee Member, TEA; and representatives from ten textile associations, with around 45 participants in total.

During the meeting, Shri Piyush Goyal stated that India has entered into Free Trade Agreements with nearly 38 countries, including a major interim trade agreement with the United States. He noted that cotton eligibility benefits currently available to Bangladesh are linked to its earlier FTA with the United States. He further indicated that India is expected to sign the agreement shortly and that similar benefits would extend to India.

The Minister encouraged the Tiruppur cluster to generate five lakh additional jobs and to double export performance over the next three years. He also informed the delegation that the Ministry is planning to introduce a dedicated control room system through which exporters can submit issues and grievances online for timely resolution.

Shri Piyush Goyal urged textile and apparel stakeholders to make effective use of opportunities arising from FTAs and to ensure that benefits are distributed across the sector nationwide.

Industry representatives conveyed their intention to utilise the opportunities created by these trade agreements. They also acknowledged the Minister’s efforts to strengthen India’s trade framework.

Dr. A. Sakthivel expressed thanks to Shri Piyush Goyal for initiatives related to India’s trade policy, including the conclusion of the India–EU FTA, described as the “mother of all deals,” and the Interim Trade Deal with the United States, both cited as measures expected to support textile and apparel exports.