Dr A. Sakthivel Begins Fifth Term as AEPC Chairman in January 2026

Padma Shri awardee Dr A. Sakthivel has assumed charge as Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) for a fifth term in January 2026, marking a rare milestone in the organisation’s history. A long-standing member of the AEPC Board for over four decades, Dr Sakthivel’s reappointment reflects his continued role in shaping India’s apparel export landscape.

Dr Sakthivel has been closely associated with the evolution of India’s knitwear and apparel exports, including the growth of Tiruppur as a global manufacturing hub. Alongside his leadership roles, he is the founder of Poppys Knitwear Pvt Ltd, which has emerged as one of India’s leading knitwear exporters.

Industry and Government Acknowledge Leadership Continuity

Shri Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, extended his congratulations to Dr Sakthivel and noted the resilience that defines the textile sector. Addressing the gathering, he reiterated the government’s recognition of industry challenges and its commitment to continued policy support for export growth. Former AEPC Chairman Shri Sudhir Sekhri, along with senior industry representatives, buying house officials, and other dignitaries, were present at the occasion.

Track Record in Apparel Export Development

Dr Sakthivel’s leadership has played a central role in the transformation of Tiruppur into an internationally recognised knitwear centre, with exports from the region expanding from ₹15 crore in 1984 to nearly ₹45,000 crore in FY2024–25. During his earlier tenure at AEPC, he actively promoted man-made fibre (MMF) garments and medical textiles, contributing to the inclusion of MMF apparel under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

In recognition of his contributions to the export sector, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on Dr Sakthivel in 2009. He was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature degree by Bharathiar University in 2011.

Priorities for the New Term

As he begins his fifth term, Dr Sakthivel has outlined key priorities, including expanding market access, leveraging India’s free trade agreements, and addressing sustainability-related compliance requirements. He also highlighted the need to mitigate the impact of recent US tariff measures on Indian apparel exports and safeguard employment across the labour-intensive sector.

AEPC is expected to continue focusing on export diversification, MMF garment manufacturing, and ESG-oriented capacity-building initiatives to support long-term competitiveness.

Extensive Institutional Engagement

Beyond AEPC, Dr Sakthivel has served on the boards of institutions such as NIFT, ECGC, UCO Bank, and IDBI Bank, and has been associated with several state-level committees. He has previously held leadership positions including President of FIEO, President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of TEA, and currently serves as Chairman of the Apparel, Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC).