Market Access Support to lift India’s textile exports drive: CITI

The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has welcomed the launch of the Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) approved by the Union Cabinet earlier and feels that it could prove a big help to India’s textile and apparel exporters as they seek to venture into newer geographies.

“Coming on the back of the signing of the India-Oman trade pact and the conclusion of the FTA negotiations with New Zealand earlier in December, it’s one of the best news to end what has otherwise been a very challenging year for the textile and apparel sector,” CITI chairman Ashwin Chandran said.

CITI has welcomed the Market Access Support intervention under the Export Promotion Mission, saying it will help textile and apparel exporters expand into new markets.
CITI chairman Ashwin Chandran said the move complements recent trade pacts and diversification efforts, supporting export growth, job creation, and resilience despite 50 per cent US tariffs and global headwinds.

“With the trade deals already signed by India and those on the anvil opening new opportunities, the Market Access Support intervention will provide a fillip to textile and apparel exporters to expand their presence in more countries, which, by extension, will also have a positive ripple effect on the creation of more jobs and livelihood opportunities here,” the CITI chairman added.

Under the Market Access Support Intervention, structured financial and institutional support will be provided for activities including Buyer-Seller Meets (BSMs), participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions, Mega Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets (RBSMs) organised in India, and trade delegations to priority and emerging export markets.

In July, India signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom. Talks are also ongoing on an FTA with the European Union, besides a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States.

The CITI chairman said the trade data for November 2025 has demonstrated the resilience of the Indian exporting community to hold its ground despite global headwinds. “November 2025 proved that the diversification strategy has started yielding results. The full benefits of the diversification strategy will be evident once all the measures under the Export Promotion Mission are rolled out,” he added.

India’s textile and apparel sector has been hit hard by the 50 per cent US tariff, effective August 27, 2025. The US is the single-largest market for India’s textile and apparel sector, contributing almost 28 per cent to the total revenue of India’s textile and apparel exporters. India’s textile and apparel exports to the US stood at nearly $11 billion in 2024-25.

India has set itself a target of creating a $350 billion textile and apparel industry by 2030, including achieving $100 billion of exports by that period.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)