Compared to the same period in August 2023, the RMG exports for the month of August 2024 have increased by 11.9 per cent. Between April and August of 2024–2025, RMG exports totalled USD 6395.0 million.
“The apparel exports kept its growth momentum despite the global headwinds and persisting red sea crisis as well as other challenges such as logistic cost and global inflation,” said Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of AEPC, in reference to this excellent performance. Over the last five months (April to August, 2024–25), RMG exports have grown at an average rate of 7.12 per cent, defying the trend of declining merchandise exports, which in August reached a 13-month low.
The industry’s resilience is quite encouraging. He continued, “The industry is poised to take a leap into high growth trajectory and be a major global player of garment exports with a focus on product quality as well as environmental and social compliance.”
He went on to say that the AEPC had submitted a wish list in its seven-point charter to the government. Some of the main demands are: A level playing fields in important markets like the EU; flexibility in fabric import; PLI2.0 for capacity augmentation; extension of interest equalisation scheme for at least 5 years with increased rate of 5 per cent for all exporters; Urban Area Employment Encouragement Scheme; and Incentive for ESG compliance.
Speaking about the development in RMG exports, Secretary General of AEPC Mithileshwar Thakur said that RMG exports have shown an incredibly positive trend in recent months. The recent increase in RMG exports is evidence of the growing confidence that international brands have begun to place in goods manufactured in India. The most encouraging news is that efforts to interact with former Free Trade Area partners, such as Korea and Japan, are beginning to pay off. During the first quarter of current fiscal year, exports to Japan, Korea, Australia, Mauritius, and Norway increased by 7.7 per cent, 16.8 per cent, 12.5 per cent, 6.6 per cent, and 17.3 per cent, respectively.