Apparel exports down 12 percent in last 3 months, says AEPC chairman

By

Maverick Martins

Published
Dec 29, 2017

The apparel exports from India have taken in hit over the last three months with 12 percent fall as a result of Goods and Services Tax (GST), said the chairman of the Apparel Exports Promotion Council.
 

AEPC feels that the tax burden on the industry has increased post the transition to the new tax system from July this year and urged the government to take necessary step to boost exports from the country.
 
As part of the Council’s efforts it has opened an office in the apparel and textile hub of Gujarat at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) with an aim to give a boost to the state’s garment manufacturing industry and help the textile units make the transition from farm to fashion.

“There are several taxes which have not been subsumed under GST, including petrol-transportation, electricity and cotton seeds which increase the tax burden by 11.5%. Due to this, the industry is suffering with apparel exports declining 12 percent over the last 3 months,” chairman, AEPC, Ashok Rajani was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
 
“Currently, apparel exports from India are worth $17 billion and if the government takes necessary measures, this is likely to grow by 20%,” Rajani added.
 
GCCI also announced that it will organise an international exhibition named ‘Farm to Fashion’ to promote textile and apparel in the second week of March 2018.