The core responsibility of the Apparel Export Promotion Council, as the name suggests is to promote garment exports from the country… this is a fact that no one can deny. What is a major concern is that the AEPC is failing not only in its duty to organize BSMs in foreign markets successfully, but is also shaking off the responsibility of ensuring buyer visitation.
Apparel Online had reported in its last edition (AO May 1-15, 2014) that the BSM to South Africa was a major disappointment for the participants, and on collective demand the AEPC has been compelled to return 50 per cent of the participation charges, amounting to Rs. 77,500 per booth as compensation regarding the same. Though this may seem very generous and reasonable, in reality the accompanying letter from the Chairman of AEPC is a shocker…! The letter clearly states that the Council would not take any responsibility for the turnout of the buyers for future events. How can an official and premier body of apparel exporters wash their hands off from what is their prime duty?
The letter by Chairman, AEPC (Apparel Online has a copy of the same) says, “AEPC will not be responsible for the turnout of buyers/buying agents for any BSM/fair/show, etc. The Council will have no liability whatsoever for any kind of refund or payment in this regard.”
Reacting strongly and objecting to the contents of the communiqué, exporters say, “They are wasting our money, time and possible business growth. If they cannot take responsibility of inviting buyers, buying agents at their own fair, what else can be expected from them? In this case AEPC should be dissolved.”
Though the anger has been growing from the last few years, but the outcome of the recent BSM in South Africa, really acted as the boiling point leading to a personal meeting with Chairman at Johannesburg and the decision was taken to give compensation as mentioned above. Rather than giving a healing touch and promising better events in the future, the letter is a setback for participants due to two reasons: First, this is not a cash refund and participation amount will be credited and can be offset only against participation charges towards any other export promotion event within the current financial year 2014-15. In case the facility is not availed in 2014-15, then the amount will stand lapsed. Secondly, as above mentioned, AEPC refuses to be responsible for buyer visitation in such events. Then what is the credibility and purpose of these events, question exporters.
“Are they returning the money or asking us to waste more money, time and resources by participating in another event with the clear announcement that buyers may not be there… How can they say like this? AEPC and its system has become a nexus focusing only on personal interests,” said an extremely disappointed and disillusioned exporter. Exporters are also agonized because despite all this, the AEPC is misguiding the exporters by publishing false information in its home magazine… Will AEPC improve itself or the same ‘gloom’ will continue in the name of export promotion…?
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
