The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) organised a seminar on “Unlocking Growth Opportunities: FTA Utilization for Apparel Exporters” in Tiruppur, bringing together apparel exporters, industry leaders, government officials, financial experts and trade specialists to explore how India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) can strengthen the competitiveness of the country’s apparel sector.
Held at Poppys Vista Hotel and supported by Kotak Mahindra Bank, the seminar was part of AEPC’s Pan India Seminar Series and focused on helping exporters understand and effectively utilise preferential market access created through India’s trade agreements.
AEPC Urges Tiruppur Exporters to Prepare for New Markets
Addressing the gathering, Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, highlighted the significant opportunity presented by India’s expanding FTA network. He noted that once the proposed agreement with the European Union is finalised, India will have recently signed FTAs with 38 countries, including the 27 EU member states, covering around 65 per cent of the global population.
According to Dr. Sakthivel, these markets offer considerable potential for Indian apparel exporters, particularly as many of these destinations do not possess comparable apparel manufacturing capacity.
He urged exporters to prepare proactively by expanding capacity, improving competitiveness and exploring new international markets. AEPC, he said, is supporting the industry by encouraging participation in international trade fairs and facilitating buyer visits to India and Tiruppur.
“Prepare yourself for export. Increase your capacity. I will make sure you will not be disappointed. The future is ours,” Dr. Sakthivel said.
His remarks underscored the importance of converting India’s growing trade access into higher apparel exports, increased production and new business opportunities.
FTA Utilisation Goes Beyond Signing Trade Agreements
Shri Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General, AEPC, stressed that the signing of an FTA is only the beginning. The real benefit comes when exporters are able to effectively utilise the preferential access provided under the agreements.
He explained that exporters need to identify applicable tariff preferences, understand and comply with Rules of Origin and sourcing requirements, complete documentation and compliance procedures, and successfully claim preferential tariffs.
FTA utilisation, he noted, should begin at the product development and sourcing stage. Exporters need to incorporate tariff preferences and origin requirements into product costing, pricing and buyer negotiations from the outset.
India-UK CETA Opens New Opportunities for Tiruppur
Shri D. Sridhar, ITS, Additional DGFT, Coimbatore, highlighted the opportunities created by India’s recent trade agreements, particularly the India-UK CETA, for Tiruppur’s apparel exporters.
He noted that the agreement is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Indian apparel in the UK market, with nearly 99 per cent of goods gaining zero-duty access.
He also highlighted the potential of the proposed India-EU agreement, describing it as a major opportunity for Indian apparel exporters once implemented.
However, Shri Sridhar cautioned that preferential market access can translate into actual business only when exporters understand and comply with critical requirements, including HS classification, Rules of Origin and Certificates of Origin.
He also highlighted the DGFT’s digital platform for seamless, paperless self-certification and encouraged exporters to put the necessary documentation and internal systems in place well in advance.
“Get ready for 2027,” he said, emphasising that while the government has created market access through trade negotiations, the responsibility now lies with industry to convert these opportunities into orders, employment and economic growth.
Technical Guidance on FTA Compliance
The technical aspects of FTA utilisation were addressed by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mangla, Associate Professor, Economics and International Trade, Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS).
Dr. Mangla explained that preferential or duty-free market access alone does not guarantee export success. Exporters must identify suitable products and markets, correctly interpret Rules of Origin and Product-Specific Rules, maintain robust documentation and strategically manage sourcing.
He also discussed requirements such as Change in Tariff Heading (CTH) and Qualifying Value Content (QVC), which can determine whether products qualify for preferential tariff treatment under an FTA.
The India-UK CETA and the emerging India-EU trade framework were also highlighted for their potential to strengthen India’s competitive position in major global apparel markets.
Exporters Discuss Practical Challenges
A presentation by Kotak Mahindra Bank was also included in the programme, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.
The session provided participating exporters with an opportunity to raise practical concerns and seek clarification on FTA utilisation, documentation, compliance, sourcing and market access.
The strong participation from Tiruppur’s apparel industry reflected growing interest among exporters in using India’s trade agreements more strategically to access international markets and improve export competitiveness.
AEPC Reaffirms Support for Apparel Exporters
The seminar concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Shri N. Thirukumaran, EC Member, AEPC, who expressed gratitude to Dr. A. Sakthivel, Shri Mithileshwar Thakur, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mangla, Shri D. Sridhar, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Poppys Vista Hotel, participating exporters and industry representatives.
He appreciated the exporters for their enthusiastic participation and valuable inputs, noting that the strong engagement and questions during the session demonstrated Tiruppur’s keen interest in leveraging FTAs more effectively.
The Tiruppur seminar reaffirmed AEPC’s commitment to helping Indian apparel exporters translate India’s expanding FTA network into new markets, larger orders, higher capacity utilisation and sustained export growth.
