COIMBATORE: India’s textile exports in 2008-09 are expected to be close to $22 billion. Shipments in 2007-08 were $21.47 billion. A senior official in the Union Ministry of Textiles told The Hindu that “We will be close to that”. Domestic demand for textiles and clothing continued to be significant and export orders were relatively dull. However, Indian companies were also getting some orders diverted from China. According to data available, textile exports from April 2008 to February 2009 were nearly $20.5 billion against $19 billion in the year-ago period.
An official of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry said textile exports were good during the first 3-4 months of the last financial year and had declined in the last three months. Thus exports can only be maintained at last year’s level.
Joint Textile Secretary J. N. Singh said a special package, including non-fiscal measures, would help revive the sector.
Source : The Hindu