Synopsis Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged for complete industry-government integration on logistics platforms to boost efficiency. He emphasized green logistics through sustainable practices, adopting electric mobility and biofuels to reduce carbon footprint. Goyal also advocated skill development and AI/data analytics use for minimizing time and cost overruns. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal Friday called for a complete integration of industry stakeholders with government platforms to improve efficiency of the logistics sector. At the ULIP Logistics Hackathon 2.0, he asked industry to focus on green logistics by following sustainable and green practices to cut carbon footprint in the sector. "We have to adopt technology like electric mobility, biofuels, multimodal transport options to bring down overall carbon impact and make sustainability the core of our thinking," Goyal said. Emphasising on skill development, Goyal called for collaborations with institutions to train and build a future-ready workforce. He added that by using artificial intelligence and data analytics, "we can make sure there is no time and cost overrun".
Source: Economic Times
Synopsis Indian garment, handicraft, and engineering exporters anticipate 5-10% gains from the rupee's decline. However, import-dependent sectors like gems, jewellery, and electronics face rising input costs, offsetting potential benefits. Further, sharper depreciations of other currencies may pressure Indian exporters to lower prices, limiting long-term competitive advantages. Indian exporters of garments, handicrafts, and engineering goods expect 5-10% gains from the rupee’s depreciation, but more import dependent sectors such as gems and jewellery and electronics see rising oil and commodity prices onsetting any benefits, trade insiders said. Moreover, the sharper depreciation of the Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, and Mexican peso against the US dollar may prompt buyers to pressure Indian exporters to pass on the gains besides undermining any long-term.
Source: Economic Times
Synopsis India's National Single Window System has processed 7.1 lakh applications, granting 4.81 lakh approvals for various services, including FDI. The country has attracted $991 billion in FDI since 2000, with 67% coming in the last decade. Production-linked incentive schemes have generated ₹1.46 lakh crore in investments and 9.5 lakh jobs. The government Friday said that till October 14, 7.1 lakh approvals have been applied and 4.81 lakh approvals have been granted via the National Single window System including foreign direct investment (FDI) approvals, petroleum-related services, hallmarking and start-up registration. The national portal integrates the existing clearance systems of the various ministries and departments of the centre and state governments. In its year end review, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) also said that from 2000 to 2024, a total FDI in flow of $991 billion was recorded, with 67% received during the last ten financial years (2014-2024). The department also said that the production linked incentive schemes for 14 sectors have achieved significant milestones, including investments of ₹1.46 lakh crore, production/sales of ₹12.5 lakh crore, exports worth ₹4 lakh crore and employment for 9.5 lakh individuals.
Source: Economic Times
India and the EU are working to address trade barriers under FTA negotiations. India's Commerce Minister highlighted non-tariff barriers impacting domestic industries, urging resolution as a confidence-building measure. Both sides aim for a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement, with further talks scheduled for March in Brussels. India has flagged non-tariff barriers being faced by its domestic industry in the European Union (EU) and emphasised the need to address long pending issues as a confidence building measure under the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) talks, the government said Friday. The issue was discussed during a meeting between commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic last night virtually.
Source: Economic Times
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held his first virtual meeting with the new European Union (EU) trade commissioner, where he flagged that non-tariff barriers were “impeding” trade between both sides. During the meeting, Goyal also emphasised the “need to address long-pending issues as a confidence-building measure”, an official statement from the department of commerce said on Friday. “This conference — the first introductory meeting between the two leaders after the assumption of charge of the new European Commission of the European Union (EU) — was convened to discuss India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, High-Level Dialogue, India-EU Trade and Technology Council, other high-level engagements & trade and investment issues,” the statement said. With President Ursula von der Leyen elected for a second mandate by the European Parliament in July and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi given a third mandate by the people of India, there will be “continuity and stability”, and both sides will “strive to deepen the relationship amidst growing uncertainty and turbulence”, it said. Following nine rounds of intensive negotiations since June 2022, FTA discussions require “strategic political guidance” to conclude a “commercially significant and mutually beneficial agreement”, with due consideration given to each side's sensitivities, the statement further said. The two leaders also decided to schedule a bilateral visit to understand each other's sensitivities and concerns at a date convenient to both sides, through diplomatic channels.
Source: Business Standard
Ashok Kumar Malhotra, Mission Director of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) has sadi that the exports of special technical textile products have grown 6.2 per cent between April and November compared to the same period of the last year. He said that that the exports were worth US $ 342 million from April to November this year compared to US $ 275 million during April – November last year. He opined that India is a major importer of technical textiles. The domestic demand is rising in tandem with rising consumption. Promoting domestic manufacturing and preventing an increase in imports is crucial. India is currently increasing its exports, particularly of goods like sanitary napkins and nappies. Two areas of technical textiles that are expanding quickly are packing technology and geotextiles. Over half of the US $ 174 million allocated for the Mission has already been spent, and an additional US $ 58.81 million is set aside for the establishment of the ecosystem through the proper training of workers, he added. He also stated that technical textiles are made from jute, ramie, wool, and silk and that banana fibre should also be used to make items. According to him, the Mission will be prepared to assist anyone who expresses interest in such a project. Silk is utilised in medical textiles, and jute is increasingly being used in geotextiles. Fabrics that can be utilised by the military at high elevations, railroad fire-resistant fabrics, movie theatre upholstery, civil aviation materials, etc., have a large market potential.
Source: Apparel Resource
Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves was set up with an objective to ensure energy security for the country in the event of oil shocks. India’s crude reserves in the three strategic caverns are currently around 3.61 million tonnes, which is 67% of their rated capacity, according to a report by the Lok Sabha’s Standing Committee on petroleum and natural gas. The Committee highlighted that a cautious approach is required for maintenance of sufficient buffer stock of crude oil to meet any emergent situation given the highly uncertain geopolitical scenario around the world, primarily the major suppliers of crude oil. The government had allocated Rs 5,000 crore in the budget estimates 2023-24 for filling up crude oil reserves. However, no expenditure on this account was incurred in FY24. For the current financial year 2024-25, the Ministry of Finance has not allocated any amount for filling up of strategic crude reserves as the expenditure on this account was deferred during the previous year. It said that provision on this account will be made during the next financial year 2025-26. In line with this, the Committee also recommended the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to maintain the optimum level of Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves and take up the matter of allocation of adequate budget with the Ministry of Finance. Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves was set up with an objective to ensure energy security for the country in the event of oil shocks. Additionally, under the Budget Estimate 2024-25, the finance ministry has allocated an amount of Rs 408 crore for construction of underground caverns in Phase – II of Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves which has not started yet, noted the Committee. “It was informed that even the land for the project has not been acquired so far. In view of the strategic importance of the project, the Committee recommend the Ministry to vigorously pursue the authorities concerned including the respective State Governments, expedite the whole process and ensure full utilization of the budget earmarked for the project in the current financial year so as to accelerate the pace of the work of Phase-II of the project and to ensure that the intended purpose is served,” it said. Apart from this, the Committee noted that the capital expenditure of the oil ministry and Oil public sector undertakings is not sufficient to meet and manage the surge in demand of petroleum products in the country and achieve net-zero targets and needs to be increased. “The Committee finds the capital expenditure of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Oil PSUs in the current financial year inadequate to achieve the basic long-term goal of energy security. Accordingly, the Committee recommends the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to endeavor for an increase in the allocation towards capital expenditure in the next possible opportunity,” it said in the report. In the Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for the current financial year, an amount of Rs 1,128.97 crore has been allocated towards capital expenditure in the as against Rs 35,508.98 crore in BE 2023-24, which is only 3.17% of the BE in 2023-24.
Source: Financial Express
Synopsis India and the EU discussed trade barriers and a potential free trade agreement. Commerce Minister Goyal highlighted non-tariff barriers impacting Indian businesses in the EU. Both sides agreed to work towards a mutually beneficial FTA. Nine rounds of negotiations have already taken place. India has flagged barriers being faced by domestic industry in the European Union (EU) markets and urged to address the issue, an official statement said on Friday. The issue besides the progress of proposed free trade agreement between the two was discussed during the meeting of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic last night virtually. "Minister Goyal underlined that non-tari barriers were impeding trade and emphasized the need to address long pending issues as a confidence building measure," the commerce ministry said. Both sides agreed to explore a balanced, equitable, ambitious and mutually beneficial FTA, it added. Following nine rounds of intensive negotiations, FTA (Free Trade Agreement) discussions require strategic political guidance to conclude a commercially significant and mutually beneficial agreement, with due consideration given to each side's sensitivities, the ministry said.
Source: Economic Times
GREATER NOIDA: The textile and apparel industry marked a milestone with the inauguration of the country’s first dedicated Human Resource Summit and Excellence Awards, hosted at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida on Friday. The event was organised with the support of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Titled ‘TBD Textile Connect,’ the event aimed to highlight the critical importance of structured HR practices in driving organisational success in the textile sector. As the industry grapples with emerging challenges and opportunities, the summit served as a vital platform for industry veterans, HR professionals, and academic experts to exchange insights, share best practices, and explore innovative strategies. The summit was inaugurated by additional secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, Rohit Kansal, in the presence of Alok Kumar, principal secretary of the department of textiles and handloom, and both emphasized the need for a robust HR framework to bolster the industry’s growth.
The event featured engaging panel discussions led by industry experts, CHROs (Chief Human Resources Officers) and CXOs (senior executives in leadership roles) from major companies such as Welspun, Vardhman, and Trident. Topics ranged from talent acquisition and employee engagement to diversity, inclusion, and the role of structured HR management in driving corporate and industry growth. Participants gained valuable insights into the latest trends and practices in HR management, learning from the real-world experiences of their peers. Highlighting the event’s significance, Kumar Abhishek, director of Unified Knowledge Services Pvt. Ltd., the organizing company, stated, “TBD Textile Connect is not just about discussing challenges but crafting actionable solutions. By fostering a culture of HR excellence, we aim to significantly enhance the industry’s productivity and sustainability.”
Source: Hindustan Times
The chairman of the Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA), S.K. Sundararaman, said that the Central and State Governments have to declare a particular plan to improve the preparatory procedures for hand weavers. He stated during the opening of the South India Textile Research Association’s (SITRA) annual technology conference in Coimbatore on Thursday that the handloom community, which has struggled with expensive production, treatment, and disposal of dyeing effluents, would benefit from a study conducted by SITRA on the dyeing and sizing of yarn intended for the handloom weaver society in package dyeing machines. It was possible to cut the price of dyed yarn by almost 35 per cent. The handloom industry used very antiquated warp and weft preparation techniques, which the study addressed. Governments should provide yarn subsidies for package-dyed yarn in order to benefit the handloom industry as well as spinning mills. Instead of using traditional hank yarn dyeing, the Governments should implement a unique handloom preparation technology upgrade program that encourages package dyeing and sizing with zero liquid discharge facilities. Tamil Nadu’s industry ought to concentrate on value-added goods, especially high-value man-made textiles and technical textiles. The small and medium-sized textile producers in each cluster must be consolidated, value-added products must be prioritised, and the nominated business of reputable brands must be acquired. “We must set standards for manufacturing value-added and distinctive textiles and apparel items in nations like Italy, Japan, Taiwan, and others,” he stated. In the past year, SITRA has concentrated on its three main activities: training, consulting, and research, according to E. Sathyanarayana, vice-chairman of the council of administration. It worked on 37 projects, two of which were sponsored. The remaining projects were started internally while taking into account the demands of the industry at the time. SITRA completed 141 consulting tasks on a wide range of specialised topics at the express request of mills. The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of more than one lakh fibre, yarn, and fabric samples were examined.
Source: Apparel Resource
Synopsis US Ambassador Eric Garcetti advocated for stronger US-India trade ties, emphasizing the need for lower tariffs and increased fairness. He lauded India's workforce and called for combining American resources with Indian ingenuity to achieve mutual ambitions. New Delhi: US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti highlighted the potential of the US-India partnership, emphasising the need to lower taris and to increase trade and make it more fair and equal. While addressing an event organised on Thursday by the US-India Business Council (USIBC), Garcetti said, "We need, together, to lower taris, not to see them go up. We need, together, to increase trade and to make it more fair and equal. We need to, together, make sure that there's training and talent that meets the needs of companies on both sides of the Indo-Pacic." He further said, "We have to protect our trademarks and our intellectual property, and we have to make sure that transportation and infrastructure exists, for India to reach its goals more quickly, that is in the American interest, and vice versa, in the Indian interest as well. So let us renew our commitment to being more ambitious to not settling for what is, and what is good, but reaching for what can be and what will be great." The US Ambassador further praised India's workforce, calling it as the "most extraordinary resources that humanity has on its planets." Garcetti said, "And to realise these ambitions, we must recommit ourselves to a mutual path of trust and transparencies so that people know what to expect. India's workforce, which numbers more than a billion people, is one of the most extraordinary resources that humanity has on its planet. They are builders, thinkers, innovators and entrepreneurs. The Indian dream is the ip side of what we used to call the American truth. In some ways you see it even more optimistically sometimes than our own country. And we can leave inspired when we work together about what's possible." Garcetti also called for merging "American scientific and financial acumen" with "India's grassroots ingenuity." "The US and India can create ecosystems that tap into this human capital to merge American scientist strengths in research, our financial acumen and business strategy with Indians' jugaad finding a solution to everything, your deep talent pools, your grassroots ingenuity and your readiness to scale solutions on a massive level," Garcetti said.
Source: Economic Times
Piana Technology, the 442-year-old Italian-made textile company renowned for its innovations in the fiber and nonwovens markets, proudly announces it has offset its energy consumption at its Nonwovens facility in Cartersville, GA by 100%. Piana Technology's expanded solar panel system has made it possible for its Nonwovens facility to operate at net zero energy.
"This is an exciting milestone for our ongoing sustainability goals, and it will set a new high bar for all of our manufacturing facilities," said Andrea Piana, CEO of Piana Technology. "At Piana, we always consider the environment and our impact in everything we do. We know we're creating a blueprint for other companies and manufacturers to follow. This is the future. You can do it better and do it greener."
The expanded photovoltaic (PV) system became operational this month. With two additional upgrades, Piana Technology's grid electricity consumption is now offset by 100%. Any solar overproduction is fed back into the city's grid, contributing to the local energy supply. The two expanded systems add an extra 1,244,564 kWh per year to the facility's production capability. This will enable the company to avoid an additional 920 tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the carbon sequestration of 250 acres of trees. Piana Technology collaborated with Southern View Energy, a local solar electrical design and installation company, to bring this project to fruition. Their careful design and construction of this project was a massive boon towards the company's sustainability initiatives.
Source: Fibre2fashion
Among the topics President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about at her final press conference of the week were Mexico’s new textile tariffs, the Senate’s approval of the controversial judicial reform bill in September and the still-incomplete Mexico City-Toluca rail project. She also told reporters that she won’t hold morning press conferences on Dec. 24 and 25. Sheinbaum bluntly declared that the new tariffs on clothing and textiles announced by the federal government on Thursday are not specifically aimed at China, even though that appeared to be the case. “Some media outlets are today interpreting [the imposition of the tariffs] as if it were a message to China. No,” she said. When a reporter suggested that the aim of the tariffs was to please Donald Trump, Sheinbaum said that wasn’t a motivation for the protectionist measure either. “It has to do with the protection of the national [textile] industry. It’s part of what we call Plan Mexico, which we’re going to present at the start of January,” she said. “… There are a lot of family companies — they’re not even large companies — that have been working on the manufacture of products and creating their own brands for decades,” Sheinbaum said. Many such businesses (whose products have to compete with cheap Asian imports) have shut down in recent years due to “the entry of products” from abroad, she said. Sheinbaum noted that some textile products — as Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard explained on Thursday — are exempt from “certain” importation taxes on the proviso that they are used as inputs for final goods to be exported. However, “in reality” they are imported as final goods to be sold in Mexico, she said. In light of the situation, the government announced Thursday that some textile products won’t be allowed to be imported at all. Sheinbaum said that the sale in Mexico of textile products that were imported as inputs for products destined for export is “in reality a trick.” “And who does it affect? All these family companies that provide a lot of employment,” she said. “So what was done yesterday was to avoid this trick being used. If you look at it, it is in fact a form of corruption,” Sheinbaum said.“Asian products” are not specifically “the issue,” she said.
Source: Mexico News
Mexico has raised import tariffs for products affecting its domestic textile industry to up to 35%, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced on Thursday with President Claudia Sheinbaum. Finished textile products will face a 35% tariff while textile merchandise imports will face a 15% import tariff. The increases will remain in place until April 22, 2026.The new policy exempts countries with which Mexico has a free trade agreement, such as Canada and the US through the USMCA. While some speculated that the tariff was directed at cheap Chinese imports, the minister said the tariffs were not aimed at any particular country. "With this, we're going to encourage the development of our national industry because a strategic objective of shared prosperity is to increase the national content of everything we consume," the minister outlined. As the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump grows closer, the move could be interpreted as the Mexican government assuring its regional neighbours of its commitment to free trade on the continent. Both Trump and Canadian officials have expressed worries that cheap Chinese goods are entering the North American market through Mexico. Trump recently threatened both Canada and Mexico with a 25% tariff on all goods if the countries didn't tackle illegal border crossings and drug trafficking. It set off a spat between the two countries, as Canada emphasised that the scale of the problem in the northern and southern borders of the US was not comparable. In November, Ebrard announced that the country was launching a "cleaning" operation to tackle the flow of illegal merchandise. The announcement followed a raid on a shopping centre in Mexico City known for selling cheap Chinese goods.
The tariff policy also takes aim at patents in an effort to combat piracy. "Mexico imposes 35% import tariffs on textile sector" was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a Global Data owned brand.
Source: Yahoo Finance
LAHORE: The slow growth in Pakistan’s textile exports is primarily due to limited penetration in global markets. To expand and diversify its textile and clothing export base, Pakistan should explore alternative destinations beyond its traditional markets.
In regional comparison, Vietnam’s textile exports to Russia surged from $0.28 billion in the first nine months of 2023 to $0.61 billion in 2024 -- a 117 per cent increase. Bangladesh, despite having over 80 per cent of its apparel exports concentrated in basic items for Western markets, has diversified 20 per cent of its exports outside the US and European Union. India is actively expanding its textile exports through initiatives like the Kasturi Cotton Initiative, targeting markets in Australia, Japan, Africa and South America, with double-digit growth in these regions. African countries represent untapped markets for our textiles, driven by a growing middle class, urbanisation, and changing consumer preferences. Key target countries include South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania. Products in demand there include affordable cotton garments, denim and sacks. South America offers significant opportunities for cotton-based products and RMG. Potential markets include Brazil, Argentina and Chile. These countries have a large population with increasing textile demand -- summer apparel and household textiles such as bed linens and towels. Proximity to Pakistan reduces logistical costs, and growing economies like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have a demand for high-quality garments and home textiles, including winter clothing and cotton-based products. Eastern European markets are cost-conscious yet import large quantities of textiles and garments. Target countries include Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Romania where we can tap into budget-friendly markets for casual wear and affordable fashion. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, close to Pakistan, are significant importers due to high per capita income. Demand is strong for luxury and modest fashion, including abayas and hijabs, and high-end home textiles, especially in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia offer a growing market for Muslim fashion and textiles, while Vietnam has a demand for industrial textiles and apparel. Markets in Australia and New Zealand prioritise organic and sustainable textiles. Australia favours natural fibrr textiles, while New Zealand demands high-quality cotton and wool blends, including organic cotton apparel and luxury bedding. Russia’s cold climate creates a market for winter apparel and household textiles. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea require high-quality and niche textile products. The country should tailor marketing strategies to suit regional preferences and cultures; explore preferential trade agreements to reduce tariffs; focus on eco-friendly and organic textile production to meet global trends; provide financial support to SMEs for exploring new markets; and promote participation in international expos like ‘Texworld’ and ‘Heimtextil’. By diversifying into these emerging markets and focusing on quality and innovation, Pakistan can strengthen its position as a competitive exporter in the global textile industry.
Source: Pk News
