Garment exports up 16% in Sept to $1.3 bn

Rising costs in China and non-compliance issues in Bangladesh helped the cause

Garment exports grew by 16% in September to $1.3 billion, helped by rising costs in China and non-compliance issues in Bangladesh.

During April-September period, the shipments rose by 17.6% to $8.3 billion.

"Increasing labour cost in China, non-compliance of large number of factories in Bangladesh, high rate of inflation, currency appreciation, with the competing countries have provided India a big opportunity in view of its relative advantage," Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Virender Uppal said in a statement.

He said policy support from the government may further help India to get more business as overseas buyers are looking at India as safe and reliable option for the sourcing.

"But to capture the space in market left by China and Bangladesh, we have to be competitive in pricing, apart from meeting strict timelines, better quality delivery by Indian exporters," Uppal added.

Meanwhile, the 22nd edition of India Market Days was inaugurated at Apparel House in Gurgaon yesterday.

Over 50 exhibitors are displaying their garments collection. Buyers from across the globe are participating n the fair.

"The garment export industry is sustainably growing and we are significantly at the highest level in US market," Puneet Kumar, Secretary General, AEPC said.