Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday said that apparel exports are vital to India’s economic growth and will play a key role in achieving the vision of a Viksit and Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.
Addressing the Annual Awards Function of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) in New Delhi, the Vice-President congratulated the awardees for their outstanding contributions to the apparel export sector and lauded the resilience shown by Indian exporters despite global economic challenges.
The Vice-President noted that the apparel and textile sector remains a crucial pillar of the Indian economy, providing direct employment to over 45 million people and supporting more than 100 million livelihoods indirectly. He said the sector contributes around 2 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and accounts for nearly 11 per cent of manufacturing Gross Value Added.
Referring to government support for the sector, V-P Radhakrishnan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the textiles and apparel industry has received multi-dimensional policy backing through initiatives such as PM MITRA Parks and the SAMARTH Skill Development Programme. He added that the Prime Minister’s Vision 2030 aims to transform India into a global textile and apparel powerhouse.
The Vice-President emphasised that government initiatives can achieve their intended impact only when industry stakeholders respond with innovation, investment and determination. He expressed satisfaction that Indian apparel exporters have continued to show progress and adaptability at a time of global uncertainty.
The V-P said the government has been actively engaging with industry stakeholders to address challenges faced by the sector, including through ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations. He urged exporters to explore new and emerging markets across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Calling for a forward-looking approach, the Vice-President encouraged the industry to focus on value addition, diversification of the export basket, reduction of import dependence, greater emphasis on research and development, and promotion of sustainable and environmentally responsible exports.
Observing that textiles are labour-intensive and the second-largest source of employment in the country after agriculture, he stressed the importance of ensuring labour welfare across the entire value chain. He said exports from the sector are expected to double in the coming years, creating substantial employment opportunities.
Expressing confidence in the sector’s future, the Vice-President said the apparel industry will play a leading role in realising the vision of a developed and self-reliant India.
Highlighting his personal association with the textile sector, V-P Radhakrishnan said he hails from Tiruppur, India’s hosiery and knitwear hub, and has closely witnessed the evolution of the industry. He recalled his tenure as a Member of Parliament and Co-Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Textiles under the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, which gave him an opportunity to study sectoral challenges and contribute to policy recommendations.
The Vice-President also appreciated the role of AEPC as a vital link between the government and the industry. On the occasion, he released AEPC’s coffee table book titled “Threads of Time: Story of India’s Textiles”.
Delhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, AEPC Chairman Sudhir Sekhri, AEPC Vice Chairman Dr. A. Sakthivel, and senior representatives from the textile and apparel industry were present at the event.
