Kasturi Cotton Initiative among India's strategic move to boost textile exports

India is looking at notable boost in textile exports, thereby putting the spotlight on indigenous Kasturi cotton. The Kasturi Cotton Initiative, with 300 registered ginners as of January 3, 2023, aims to enhance the global appeal of Indian cotton by prioritizing branding, traceability, and certification.

Despite numerous challenges due to the pandemic and geopolitical shifts, Textiles Secretary Rachna Shah is optimistic, citing a discernible rebound in demand. The potential extension of the loan moratorium under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) underscores the government's commitment to supporting the textile sector during challenging times.

In the face of stiff competition from countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh, India is counted among the top five apparel exporting nations. It has strategically navigated Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) while stringent Quality Control Orders (QCOs) have been instituted in crucial textile segments to uphold high-quality standards and clamp down on sub-standard imports.

With Bharat Tex 2024 to be held in New Delhi from February 26-29, India is gearing up to create a dynamic platform, attracting investments and securing reliable sources of raw materials, with active participation from global players. The success of the SAMARTH scheme, which trained 1.2 lakh professionals in 2023, underscores a dedicated effort to boost skill set of the workforce.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is fostering international collaborations and is ready to sing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australia among agreements with other nations.

The bottomline is, India's proactive stance, with robust Kasturi Cotton Initiative and favorable policies and global engagements, positions the country not only to weather challenges but to thrive in the dynamic global textile landscape.