India's FTAs With 56 Countries Expand Textile Export Opportunities, Says Giriraj Singh

Union Textile Minister highlights export growth, Karur's home textile strength and India's $100 billion textile export target

Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh said India's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 56 countries have opened new export opportunities for the textile industry, enabling manufacturers to compete with countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and others.

Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Karur Textile Manufacturers and Exporters Association in Karur on Saturday, the Minister said India had FTAs with only 10 countries when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, and that the number has since increased to 56.

He said the expanded network of trade agreements has broadened export opportunities beyond a limited number of markets, allowing exporters to explore untapped global potential.

Referring to the global textile market, the Minister said the value of worldwide textile exports stood at $900 billion, while India's share could reach $100 billion. He said that, with the existing ecosystem, entrepreneurship, human resources, skilled workforce and the growth-oriented approach of the Union government and other stakeholders, India could play an important role in global textile exports.

The Minister noted that Kanpur has emerged as a hub for textile machinery, with manufacturers upgrading machinery and technology through various initiatives. He said the number of textile machinery units had increased significantly during the Narendra Modi government and added that the sector had created four crore jobs.

Highlighting Karur's contribution to the textile sector, Giriraj Singh said the city has become one of the country's centres for foreign exchange earnings.

He said Karur's home textile products have witnessed strong demand in the United States (U.S.), Canada, and European countries. According to the Minister, 70% of products manufactured in Karur are exported, while 30% are sold in the domestic market. He encouraged manufacturers to aim for 100% overseas markets.

The Minister also stressed the importance of stronger coordination between the Union and State governments, stating that the State government should promote sericulture more actively.

P. Mathan Raja, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay remained committed to industrial growth in the State and that the government would take all necessary steps to accelerate industrial development.

Under the heading "Achievable target", M. Beena, Development Commissioner, Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, said India's textile exports currently stand at $30 billion, while the Union government has set a target of $100 billion by 2030. She said the target could be achieved through coordinated efforts between the Union and State governments.

Among those who addressed the event were Dairy Development Minister C. Vijayalakshmi, Karur MP S. Jothimani, Atlas N. Nachimuthu, honorary president, and P. Gopalakrishnan, president of the Karur Textile Manufacturers and Exporters Association.