Global brands and buying houses discuss supply chain, sustainability, and sourcing strategies

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) organised the Bharat Tex 2026 Round Table Discussion on 24th April 2026 at ITC Windsor, Bengaluru. The session brought together global brands and industry stakeholders to discuss key aspects of the textile and apparel sector ahead of the upcoming event in New Delhi.

The programme began with a welcome address by Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, followed by a keynote address by Shri Naren Goenka, Chairman, Bharat Tex. A detailed presentation on Bharat Tex 2026 was delivered by the Bharat Tex Federation, outlining the scale, opportunities, and key arrangements for the event.

Around 40 global brands and buying houses participated in the round table, including Walmart, PVH, Ralph Lauren, Marks & Spencer (M&S), C&A, and Columbia Sportswear.

During the interactive discussions, participants shared inputs on strengthening the value supply chain, sustainability, circularity, traceability, and compliance requirements. The session also addressed existing gaps and explored collaborative approaches to address industry challenges.

In his address, the Chairman AEPC highlighted the need to bridge technology and quality gaps within the sector. He pointed to challenges in fabric quality and noted that, in the short term, measures such as importing specialised fabrics may be required alongside efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities.

He also underlined the importance of incorporating global expertise into the Indian textile ecosystem and suggested engagement with Taiwanese industry for advanced technologies in synthetic yarn manufacturing.

The Chairman further noted that India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with advanced economies have created opportunities for the country to position itself as an apparel sourcing hub. He stated that the coming decade would be significant for the Indian apparel industry and called on stakeholders to utilise emerging opportunities.

Shri Naren Goenka reiterated similar views and urged the sourcing community to support Indian exporters in strengthening India’s position in global markets.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Raju Goenka, Vice Chairman, AEPC.