Apparel Exports Grow About 13% in April.

India's apparel exports grew by about 13% to $1 billion in April 2011 year-on-year, due to strong demand from the US and European markets.

The exports stood at $972 million in April last year, according to the data provided by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).

"There is a good demand for our exports from the US. Also, the European market is picking up," AEPC Chairman Premal Udani said.

The US and Europe together account for about 65% of India's total garment exports.

The council expects garments exports' growth to continue in 2011-12.

"We expect exports to touch $14 billion in the current fiscal as we are getting good orders not only from the western markets, but also from new markets like Latin America," Udani said.

During 2010-11, garments exports grew by 4.4% to $11.1 billion compared to the previous fiscal.

The garment industry employs about 70 lakh people in the country, out of which almost half are engaged in the export sector.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com