India, with its abundant raw materials, vast labor force, and well-established textile and apparel industry, possesses unique advantages that position it as a leading destination in the global textile and apparel value chain, according to Union Minister Darshana Vikram Jardosh. On Thursday, the minister emphasized that the global textiles and apparel trade has witnessed fluctuating fortunes in the past decade due to social and geographical factors.
Jardosh highlighted India’s uniqueness, stemming from its raw material availability, sizable labor pool, mature textile and apparel industry, and strong domestic market. She expressed optimism about leveraging these advantages to establish India as the dominant global textile and apparel value chain player. The minister estimated that India could capture over 15% of international trade, potentially creating 40-50 lakh (4-5 million) jobs that would significantly bolster the country’s economy.
Currently, the Indian apparel and textile industry contributes around 2.3% to the nation’s GDP, 13% to industrial production, and 12% to exports. India’s share in global textiles and apparel trade stands at 4%. With its promising prospects and existing strengths, India is poised to offer extensive growth opportunities for the industry and boost its global standing.
