India’s apparel exports to EU face a duty disadvantage, says Smriti Irani

"Apparel exports from competing countries enjoy zero/preferential access to European Union whereas India faces a duty disadvantage. Besides Bangladesh and Vietnam have a large and productive labour force," Irani said.

Written by PTI

New Delhi

Updated: November 29, 2019 17:39 IST

smriti irani, European Union, Union exports, apparel exports

"India's exports of textile and apparel sector have increased from $39.3 billion in 2017-18 to $40.4 billion in 2018-19," Irani said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

India faces competition from countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka that enjoy preferential or duty-free access to key markets like the European Union, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani said on Friday. “Apparel exports from competing countries enjoy zero/preferential access to European Union whereas India faces a duty disadvantage. Besides Bangladesh and Vietnam have a large and productive labour force,” Irani said.

“India’s exports of textile and apparel sector (including handicrafts) have increased from $39.3 billion (around Rs) in 2017-18 to USD 40.4 billion in 2018-19,” Irani said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

This article was first uploaded on November twenty-nine, twenty nineteen, at twenty-five minutes past five in the evening.