FTAs will bring more orders for MMF-based textiles, says Minister
The Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) concluded by India and the ones it is working on will bring opportunities for the manmade fibre (MMF) textile sector, Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita said in Coimbatore on Monday.
Inaugurating the third edition of Confederation of Indian Textile Industry's (CITI) MMF conclave on the theme 'Global Trade Dynamics: Strengthening India's Position in the Manmade Fibre Value Chain', the Minister said the FTAs with the US and the European Union would bring more orders for MMF garments when they were signed. The government was also working on creating a green MMF value chain. The global textile industry was going through structural shift. Fibres such as polyester, viscose and other synthetics were leading demand. From active wear to technical textiles, the world was moving to high performance textiles. India cannot be on the side in this scenario, he said.
India had set an ambitious target to cross $ 100 billion exports. MMF and its blends would be central in this increase in exports. In 2024-25, MMF exports were to the tune of $ 6 billion. This showed the world had confidence in India's MMF sector. India had the raw material, manpower, policy vision and eco system for MMF growth.
According to Rakesh Mehra, chairman of CITI, said India could emerge as a hub for innovation-driven, sustainable, and value-added man-made fibre products. Though India had an impressive strength in the upstream arena, its downstream presence in MMF-based exports remained limited.
Former chairman of CITI T. Rajkumar said that India must rapidly modernise its fibre mix, upgrade manufacturing capabilities, and adopt a market-responsive approach.
Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Vice-Chairman A. Sakthivel reiterated the need for establishing a robust ecosystem for the MMF segment in India.
The Minister visited the Netaji Apparel Park in Tiruppur and interacted with the members of the Tiruppur Exporters Association. Association president K.M. Subramanian pointed out that only 10% of Tiruppur's garment exports were MMF-based. The cluster was working to develop an ecosystem so that 70% of the exports were MMF-based by 2030.
Mr. Margherita also visited the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles and Management in Coimbatore and interacted with the students and faculty members.
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