BTTF and Première Vision Sign Strategic MoU to Strengthen India-France Textile Collaboration
Partnership aims to connect Indian textile manufacturers, designers and artisans with premium and high-end global fashion markets.
Strategic India-France Textile Partnership
The Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Première Vision SA, a leading international platform for creative fashion, textiles and sourcing, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s engagement with the global fashion and textile ecosystem.
The MoU was signed on September 2, 2026, at the Première Vision exhibition in Paris, establishing a multi-year institutional partnership focused on trade, sourcing, design, sustainability and textile heritage.
The agreement was signed by Dr. A. Sakthivel, Core Committee Member, BTTF and Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), and Ms. Florence Rousson, CEO – Fashion Division, Première Vision SA.
The signing ceremony was attended by Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), along with industry leaders, designers, Export Promotion Council officials, Indian Embassy officials and BTTF representatives.
Building on Bharat Tex 2026 Collaboration
The MoU follows the Letter of Intent (LoI) signed on July 14, 2026, at Bharat Tex 2026 in New Delhi, in the presence of the Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles.
The latest agreement seeks to convert that initial understanding into sustained cooperation between the two organisations across international trade, sourcing, sustainability, design and heritage.
Connecting Indian Textiles With Global Fashion Markets
Première Vision has served as an international platform for the fashion industry for more than five decades. The partnership is expected to provide Indian textile manufacturers, exporters, designers and artisans with opportunities to connect with international buyers, fashion houses and premium sourcing networks.
A key objective is to support India’s transition from volume-focused exports towards higher-value, design-led and premium textile and fashion segments.
Through Première Vision’s trend intelligence and global sourcing platforms, Indian enterprises will have opportunities to align their products with international market requirements and engage with buyers seeking sustainable and high-quality sourcing solutions.
India-EU Trade Momentum Creates New Opportunities
The partnership comes amid growing India-EU trade engagement following the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January 2026.
According to the release, the agreement provides preferential market access on 96.8% of tariff lines, covering 99.5% of India’s exports, while 90.7% of exports by trade value are expected to become duty-free once the agreement comes into force.
The textile and apparel industry could particularly benefit from greater access to the European market. The EU’s global textile and apparel imports were approximately US$292.8 billion in 2025, while India’s textile and apparel exports to the EU currently stand at around US$10.4 billion.
The proposed zero-duty access across textile and clothing tariff lines is expected to create opportunities for Indian exporters of garments, textiles, yarns and home textiles while supporting India’s competitiveness in the European market.
Government Highlights Luxury Textiles and Heritage
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, stated:
“Bharat Tex, envisioned under the 5F Vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has emerged as the world’s largest integrated textiles event, with a strong focus on trade, sustainability and investment. This partnership with Première Vision is a natural progression, creating new opportunities to showcase India’s luxury textiles and rich heritage to Europe and the world, while benefiting artisans, weavers, designers, women entrepreneurs and MSMEs across the country.”
Dr. A. Sakthivel, Core Committee Member of BTTF, stated:
“This partnership with Première Vision will connect Indian textiles more closely with global markets while showcasing our rich heritage and advancing sustainability, reinforcing India’s position as a competitive and responsible textile hub.”
Ms. Florence Rousson, CEO of Première Vision’s Fashion Division, added:
“We are delighted to partner with BTTF to foster creativity, innovation and responsible sourcing, while creating new opportunities for Indian and French stakeholders across the textile value chain.”
Key Areas of Collaboration
The partnership will be overseen by a Joint Steering Committee, with cooperation planned across several areas.
Delegations and Knowledge Sessions
The two organisations will facilitate reciprocal participation of exhibitors, delegations, speakers and experts at their respective trade shows. Activities will include joint export promotion initiatives and buyer-seller meetings.
Export Promotion and Market Linkages
BTTF and Première Vision will work on initiatives aimed at improving market access through buyer-seller meets, reverse buyer-seller meets, exchange of market intelligence and other forms of cooperation benefiting both organisations.
Sustainability and Circularity
The partnership will promote circularity, traceability and responsible production, along with sustainability-focused initiatives at the respective events of both organisations.
Heritage and Craftsmanship
The MoU also provides for an “Eternal Crafts Collaboration” to showcase Indian and French textile heritage to the international luxury and creative fashion community.
As part of this initiative, “A Living Thread” is planned for January 2027. The showcase will bring together Indian artisans and ateliers working in hand embroidery, handloom and allied heritage techniques alongside French textile heritage.
Strengthening India’s Position in Premium Textiles
The collaboration brings together India’s manufacturing capabilities, diverse textile ecosystem and traditional craft expertise with Première Vision’s international fashion and sourcing network.
The partnership is intended to help Indian textile businesses access higher-value international markets while strengthening India’s position as a sustainable, innovative and high-value sourcing destination for the global fashion industry.