Over the years, India’s import of apparels is continuously growing and Bangladesh has been the biggest gainer with 34 per cent share in India’s total import.
Time and again various trade associations of Indian textile and apparel industry have raised their voices against this especially as Bangladesh has duty free access to India.
| Imports of Readymade Garments (In million US $) | |||||
| 2016 – 17 | 2017 – 18 | 2018 – 19 | 2019 – 20 E | % Growth 18-19/16/17 | |
| Total Imports | 596 | 773 | 1106 | 1207 | 102% |
| From Bangladesh | 140 | 201 | 365 | 409 | 192% |
| % Share of Bangladesh | 23% | 24% | 33% | 34% | |
Now in this difficult phase of pandemic, as Indian apparel manufacturers are exploring all possible ways to survive, demand to control this import has been raised again.
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) has raised this issue with the various ministries. The leading trade association has approached the Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani and the Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in this regard.
The association has requested the Government to consider levying a temporary additional Covid duty on all imports of apparels including on those garments imported from countries with whom India has an FTA especially Bangladesh.
It is also pertinent to mention here that the Government has in several of industry discussions and interactions pointed out to the various treaties signed with Bangladesh and other SAFTA countries, and that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to dilute the agreements.
It has been anticipated that in the current challenging scenario, there will be around 38 per cent drop in domestic demand of apparels with around 21 per cent of the domestic units facing probable closure.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
