Padmashri Dr. A. Sakthivel, one of India’s most respected industry leaders and a key architect of the country’s apparel export growth, has assumed charge as Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) for a historic fifth term in January 2026. Dr. Sakthivel has been associated with AEPC for over 43 years as a board member, making this reappointment a significant milestone in the council’s history.
Dr. Sakthivel is the founder of Poppys Knitwear Pvt. Ltd., which he built into one of India’s leading knitwear export companies through innovation, perseverance, and forward-looking trade practices.
Congratulating him on the occasion, Shri Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, highlighted the resilience of the textile industry and reiterated the Government of India’s continued support for boosting textile and apparel exports. The ceremony was attended by former AEPC Chairman Shri Sudhir Sekhri, senior industry leaders, buying house representatives, and other dignitaries.
Dr. Sakthivel’s leadership has played a transformative role in positioning Tiruppur as a global knitwear hub, with exports from the region growing from ₹15 crore in 1984 to approximately ₹45,000 crore in 2024–25. During his earlier tenure at AEPC, he strongly promoted Man-Made Fibre (MMF) garments and medical textiles, contributing to the inclusion of MMF products under the PLI Scheme.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to exports, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2009, followed by an Honorary Doctor of Literature degree from Bharathiar University in 2011.
Known for his consensus-driven leadership, Dr. Sakthivel has consistently championed competitiveness, MSME empowerment, employment generation, sustainability, and global best practices. His efforts have helped the Indian apparel sector remain resilient and globally competitive.
On assuming charge for his fifth term, Dr. Sakthivel reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with central and state governments and industry stakeholders to expand market access, leverage India’s growing network of Free Trade Agreements, address sustainability compliance, and increase India’s share in global apparel trade.
Highlighting immediate priorities, he emphasised the need to mitigate the impact of recent US tariff measures on Indian apparel exporters and safeguard employment across the sector. Under his leadership, AEPC will further strengthen exports of MMF garments while accelerating sustainability and ESG-focused capacity-building initiatives.
Dr. Sakthivel has also served on the boards of NIFT, ECGC, UCO Bank, IDBI, and has held leadership roles at FIEO, ICC, TEA, and continues as Chairman of the Apparel, Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC).
