CITI Hails Cabinet Nod To Export Promotion Mission
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has hailed the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Export Promotion Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, calling it a timely and transformative step for the textile and apparel sector.
CITI Chairman Ashwin Chandran expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the cabinet, stating that the initiative will strengthen global competitiveness, help the industry leverage upcoming FTAs, diversify markets and generate quality employment across the value chain. He noted that the announcement comes amid optimism around a potential India–US trade deal and will further lift confidence among exporters.
Chandran said the Mission addresses long-standing structural challenges, particularly for MSMEs that make up the majority of India’s textile and apparel sector and continue to struggle with limited access to affordable finance. India has set an ambitious target to more than double textile and apparel exports to US$ 100 billion by 2030, compared to US$ 38 billion in 2024–25.
The sector has been under pressure following the 50% US tariff imposed on Indian goods from August 27, which sharply impacted shipments in September. The US, India’s largest export market for textiles and apparel, accounts for nearly 28% of total sectoral exports, valued at almost US$ 11 billion in 2024–25. According to CITI’s analysis, textile exports fell 10.45% year-on-year in September 2025, while apparel exports declined 10.14%, leading to an overall 10.34% drop in combined exports during the month.
