Why in News?
The Ministry of Textiles reported a 7% increase in textile and apparel exports, including handicrafts, from April to December 2024, compared to the previous year.
- Status of India in Textiles - India continues to rank among the top textile-exporting nations in global textiles and apparel exports.
- It boasts a robust raw material base comprising natural fibres like cotton, silk, wool, and jute, alongside man-made fibres.
- Key export markets for Indian textiles - USA, European Union, and UK.
Government initiatives to boost textile sector
- To strengthen India’s position in the global textile market.
- PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme - Aimed at building world-class textile infrastructure.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme - Focusing on MMF fabric, apparel, and technical textiles, seeks to boost large-scale manufacturing.
- Scheme For Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SAMARTH) - A capacity-building program designed to provide placement-oriented skilling in the textile sector.
- Minimum Support Price – Given annually to ensure the steady supply of cotton and encourage its cultivation.
- National Technical Textiles Mission (2020-2026) - Focuses on cutting-edge research in specialty fibres and application-based textiles such as geotextiles, medical textiles, and sports textiles.
- The mission also promotes research into biodegradable textiles using unconventional natural fibres like milkweed and bamboo.
- The Ministry of Textiles conducted various innovation challenges in collaboration with Startup India and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
- International Agreements - India has signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) to enhance its export potential.
- Reducing Custom Duties - The custom duty on Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton was reduced to zero from 2024.
- It allows duty-free ELS cotton imports under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).
- The Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme and the Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) program supports by enhancing competitiveness and promoting zero-rated exports.
- To curb the import of low-quality knitted fabrics, the government imposed a Minimum Import Price (MIP) on relevant Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) codes.
- Various Quality Control Orders (QCOs) have been implemented to safeguard domestic producers from the influx of substandard goods.
Reference
DD News - Government implements schemes to boost sector
