India's Ready-Made Garment (RMG) exports have shown a remarkable 11.9% growth in August 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year, despite the ongoing global challenges. The cumulative RMG exports for the period April to August 2024-25 have reached USD 6.395 billion, signaling a positive shift for the sector. Shri Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), attributed the strong performance to the resilience of the industry, despite facing significant challenges such as the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea region, high logistics costs, and global inflation. He highlighted that RMG exports have grown at an average rate of 7. 12% over the past five months (April to August 2024-25), diverging from the broader trend of declining merchandise exports, which reached a 13-month low in August.

Sekhri expressed optimism about the future of the industry, noting that the sector’s focus on improving product quality, as well as adhering to environmental and social compliance standards, has positioned it for substantial growth. He emphasized that the industry is well on its way to becoming a key global player in garment exports. Looking ahead, Sekhri is hopeful that this growth momentum will continue as global garment sourcing strategies undergo realignment. He stressed that long-term policy support for garment export schemes is crucial for providing stability and further stimulating the sector's growth. He also mentioned that the AEPC has submitted a 7-point charter to the government, which includes several critical demands, such as greater flexibility in fabric imports, an extension of the interest equalization scheme, and incentives for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance. These initiatives aim to create a level playing field, particularly in key markets like the European Union.

Shri Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General of AEPC, also lauded the recent surge in RMG exports, highlighting the increasing trust that global brands are placing in India-made products. He pointed out the encouraging developments in trade relations with long-standing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partner countries, including Japan, Korea, and Australia. Exports to these countries have shown significant growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, with increases of 7.7%, 16.8%, 12.5%, and 6.6% in Japan, Korea, Australia, Mauritius, and Norway, respectively.