Industry Consolidation, Automation and Market Diversification Highlighted at FICCI TAG 2026
Maharashtra Textile Minister Sanjay Savkare calls for scale, collaboration and modern manufacturing infrastructure to strengthen textile exports
The 17th edition of FICCI TAG 2026, FICCI’s annual textile industry conference, commenced in Mumbai with discussions focused on building a globally competitive and future-ready textile ecosystem.
Held under the theme “Nurturing the Next-Gen Indian Textile Ecosystem: Modern Facilities, Stronger Value Chains, Wider Global Reach,” the conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, manufacturers, exporters, technology providers and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening India’s position as a global textile manufacturing and sourcing destination.
During the inaugural session, Shri Sanjay Savkare, Textile Minister of Maharashtra, and Smt. Vrunda Manohar Desai, Textile Commissioner, Government of India, jointly unveiled the FICCI-Wazir Annual Textile Industry Report 2026.
Report Focuses on Modernisation and Global Competitiveness
The FICCI-Wazir report assesses the textile sector and identifies modernisation, technology adoption, sustainable value chains and wider global market access as key areas for strengthening India’s textile competitiveness.
Addressing the conference, Sanjay Savkare highlighted the textile industry’s response to changing global trade conditions and supply chain challenges. He said greater industry consolidation, collaboration and investment in modern manufacturing infrastructure would be important for enhancing Maharashtra’s textile exports and strengthening India’s position in global markets.
He also called for collective efforts to build scale, productivity and competitiveness across the textile value chain.
Vrunda Manohar Desai highlighted the Government of India’s focus on strengthening the textile ecosystem through policy interventions and flagship initiatives. She stressed the importance of modernisation, stronger value chains and export competitiveness, while urging the industry to make use of opportunities emerging from India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Automation, Digitalisation and AI Identified as Growth Drivers
Presenting the report’s findings, Prashant Agarwal, Managing Director, Wazir Advisors, said automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence would be among the major drivers of competitiveness and profitability for textile enterprises in the coming years.
He also highlighted the need to attract young engineering talent to the textile industry and develop innovation-led manufacturing ecosystems to support long-term growth.
Focus on Future-Ready Textile Factories
The first session, “Designing the Future Factories: Scale, Automation, and Data-Driven Operations,” examined how Indian textile manufacturers can develop large-scale manufacturing facilities using automation, digital technologies and data-driven decision-making.
The discussions covered productivity improvements across spinning, weaving, processing and garmenting, along with the changing skill requirements of the industry.
Sammir Dattani, ED, Sanathan Textiles, said overcoming barriers to scale through automation and large investments would be important for future growth.
Biji Chacko, COO, Alok Industries, highlighted the need to combine automation with skilling at all levels.
Shaleen Toshniwal, MD, Banswara Syntex Ltd., said scale and automation remain a sustainable path to growth, supported by PM MITRA infrastructure.
Debabrata Ghosh, VP, Barmag India, highlighted advanced technologies such as Barmag machinery in supporting quality and competitiveness in the man-made fibre (MMF) sector.
Stronger and Sustainable Value Chains
The second session, “Farm to Fashion: Stronger & Sustainable Value Chain,” focused on opportunities to develop integrated, resilient and sustainable textile value chains.
Industry experts discussed moving towards higher value-added products, strengthening the MMF ecosystem and adopting globally accepted sustainability practices.
The session also examined government initiatives including PM MITRA and PLI, along with other support schemes. Panellists highlighted collaborative infrastructure and common facilities as potential measures to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Expanding Global Market Access
The third session, “Diversifying Market Access: Leveraging FTAs & Exploring New Markets,” examined strategies for expanding India’s presence in international textile markets.
Discussions covered opportunities arising from the India-UK FTA and the proposed India-EU trade agreement. Africa, Latin America, West Asia and South-East Asia were identified during the discussions as potential growth destinations.
Panellists also highlighted the importance of market diversification, aligning product portfolios with regional demand, and meeting market-specific standards and certification requirements.
DGFT Highlights Potential of FTAs
Shri R K Mishra, Additional DGFT, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, discussed the implementation progress of India’s FTAs and their potential to provide Indian exporters with enhanced market access compared with global competitors.
Mishra noted that if the textile industry succeeds in doubling its exports over the next five years, exports to the European Union alone could increase by an estimated USD 7–10 billion.
He also urged the industry to make greater use of e-commerce channels for international markets and align production capabilities with emerging global demand trends.
Shri Kumar Anshuman, General Manager, ECGC Ltd, called for greater participation from textile exporters with the support of ECGC and the risk cover it provides across global markets.
Industry Focuses on Technology and Market Expansion
The deliberations at FICCI TAG 2026 highlighted policy support, innovation, sustainability, technology adoption and strategic investments as areas of focus for the Indian textile sector.
Participants discussed the role of modern manufacturing facilities, stronger value chains, skilled talent and wider global market access in expanding India’s presence as a textile and apparel sourcing hub.
The conference was supported by the Department of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra; ECGC; Grasim Industries; Revalyu; Barmag; Zydex; ATE Enterprise, with Wazir Advisors as Knowledge Partner.