New Delhi, Delhi, 16th of July, 2026 : Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Government of India released the report – India Textiles & Apparel CXO Blueprint 2030 by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and the Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability (GATS) at Sustainability & Circularity Impact Pavilion (Hall No. 14) at Bharat Tex 2026.
During the release of the report, Shri Giriraj Singh Ji observed that the report had been released at an opportune time during Bharat Tex, in the presence of global buyers. He noted that the findings would serve as a valuable guide for India’s textile ecosystem and all stakeholders would benefit from its insights to unlock new growth opportunities and enhance the sector’s global competitiveness.
Speaking at the launch of report, Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI, said, “India has earned global recognition as a manufacturing destination. The next chapter of our growth will depend on how successfully we build capabilities that create greater value for customers and global brands. The India Textiles & Apparel CXO Blueprint 2030 is intended to provide industry leaders with a practical roadmap to strengthen competitiveness through innovation, collaboration, sustainability and execution. Our collective objective is to help Indian enterprises move beyond scale and emerge as trusted global partners.”
India Textiles & Apparel CXO Blueprint 2030 is a strategic roadmap designed to help Indian textile and apparel enterprises strengthen their global competitiveness as international markets shift towards sustainability, traceability, product innovation and technology-led manufacturing. It is intended as a strategic guide for CXOs, manufacturers, brands, policymakers and ecosystem partners seeking to position India as a globally competitive, future-ready textile and apparel manufacturing destination.
The report forecasts that India’s next phase of growth will be driven not by manufacturing scale alone, but by the industry’s ability to build capabilities across the value chain. While India is currently the world’s sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparel, accounting for approximately 4.1% of global trade and employing nearly 45 million people, exports have remained stagnant at around USD 40 billion for six consecutive years despite global trade expanding at a much faster pace. With India’s textile and apparel sector targeting USD 100 billion in exports by 2030 and a domestic market projected to reach USD 250 billion, the report highlights that converting scale into global leadership requires a strategic shift from cost competitiveness to capability competitiveness.
The report states that India’s opportunity is being strengthened by shifting global sourcing strategies, new bi-lateral trade agreements with EU, UK, UAE, Oman, Australia, New Zealand through increasing demand for transparent and sustainable supply chains. However, it cautions that these advantages will only translate into export growth if enterprises are prepared with the right products, documentation, traceability systems and operational capabilities.
The Blueprint identifies five strategic priorities that will determine India’s competitiveness over the coming decade. It notes that these priorities are deeply interconnected and must be embedded into enterprise strategy rather than pursued as isolated sustainability initiatives: Circularity, End-to-end Traceability, Resource-Manufacturing, Product Diversification.
Naveen Sainani, Chairman – ESG Committee & Hon. General Secretary, CMAI, expressed, “Sustainability is no longer an aspiration—it is becoming central to business competitiveness. The Blueprint reflects the industry’s transition from discussion to implementation by helping enterprises, particularly MSMEs, understand how sustainability, technology and operational excellence can work together to strengthen resilience and unlock new business opportunities. Our focus is on enabling practical action that creates long-term value.”
Parvinder Singh, Director, GATS, stated, “India has one of the world’s strongest textile manufacturing ecosystems. The opportunity now is to connect these capabilities through stronger collaboration, knowledge sharing and implementation. The Blueprint encourages enterprises, clusters and institutions to work as an integrated ecosystem where sustainability and competitiveness reinforce each other, helping India build lasting global leadership.”
Present at the occasion were sustainability champions including, Dr. Naresh Tyagi – Patron-in-Chief, CMAI, and Chief Sustainability Officer, ABFRL; Sunder Belani – Managing Director, Ramsons; Manoj Wanvari – COO, Oterri and Refibre; Rahul Mehta – Chief Mentor, CMAI, Naveen Sainani – Hon. Gen. Secretary & Chairman – ESG Committee, CMAI; Anand Golecha – Chairman, Manufacturers & Productivity Sub Committee & Vendor Souring Fair Sub Committee, CMAI; among other dignitaries.
About CMAI
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) is the most representative association of the Indian apparel industry having over 7,000 members and serving more than 50,000 Retailers. Its Membership consists of Manufacturers, Exporters, Brands, and ancillary industry. CMAI advocates regarding policies and also guides and encourages its members on ESG related matters and initiatives. In 2019, CMAI launched the SU.RE initiative to encourage members to embrace sustainability.
Established over sixty-three years ago, CMAI has contributed immensely towards development of the industry. In 1978, CMAI had led the creation of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). CMAI is also authorised by the Government of India to issue Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) to Exporters. CMAI is the only Indian Association that represents the entire Indian Apparel Industry & Trade on prestigious international forums such as International Apparel Federation (IAF) headquartered in Netherlands.
About GATS
The Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability Council (GATS) is an industry-led, not-for-profit platform committed to advancing sustainability, circularity, and resource efficiency in the textile and
fashion value chain. Anchored in India’s textile recycling capital, Panipat, GATS represents a consortium of manufacturers, recyclers, innovators, and policymakers working together to build a future-ready, waste-free textile industry. GATS plays a key role in bridging grassroots innovation with global compliance by promoting recycled fibers, enabling traceable and EPR-ready supply chains, and supporting policy frameworks that encourage circular manufacturing.
GATS is helping transition India from a circular raw material supplier to a global hub for circular apparel production. With a focus on climate action, social inclusion, and export competitiveness, GATS is driving India’s leadership in sustainable textiles and empowering MSMEs to thrive in a low-carbon, compliance-driven global economy.
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