New Report Highlights India’s Expanding Preferential Market Access Across $177 Billion Apparel Import Markets
Wazir Advisors has introduced Unlocking Duty-Free Growth, a 300+ page strategic guide focused on duty-free market access opportunities for Indian apparel exporters across nine FTA/PTA markets. The covered markets include the EU, the UK, EFTA, Japan, South Korea, Australia, UAE, Oman, and New Zealand, which together account for over $177 billion in global apparel imports.
The report has been released at a time when multiple trade agreements are expected to reshape India’s apparel export landscape. The India-UK CETA is nearing implementation and is expected to remove duties across all apparel tariff lines. Meanwhile, the India-EU FTA, anticipated to become operational within the next 12–18 months, is expected to address the tariff gap that previously affected India’s competitiveness against Bangladesh and Vietnam.
According to the report, India’s preferential trade access framework has now become substantially broader with several FTAs already in operation and additional agreements progressing toward implementation. Despite the existing arrangements, India’s export share in several of these markets remains below its estimated potential. The report states that the coming 24 months could represent a significant period for the Indian apparel export sector.
“India’s apparel exports have punched below their weight for years. A significant part of the reason was that competitors enjoyed preferential access that India did not. That equation is now changing decisively. This report is designed to give exporters the market-specific intelligence to act on that window, not just acknowledge it,” said Varun Vaid, Business Director, Wazir Advisors.
The publication also introduces the proprietary Wazir MAPS (Market Access Prioritisation Score) framework for evaluating cross-market opportunities. In addition, the guide includes more than 60 buyer profiles, over 150 data exhibits, and a detailed Rules of Origin analysis covering all nine agreements.
