Apparel and Garment Industry and Exports

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) is the country‘s top apparel exporters‘ representative body, whose role is central to the development and international placement of the apparel and garment industry and exports of India. Established in 1978, AEPC has played a vital role in coordinating trade, offering industry information, and lobbying for policies that support the competitiveness of the sector internationally.
AEPD India

The main function of AEPC is to encourage, support, and enable the Indian garment industry to maximize its competitive edge and global positioning in a comprehensive and sustainable way. Having its headquarters located in Gurgaon with a chain of offices throughout India, AEPC is a one-stop-shop for exporters that provides support in market insights, trade data, and show participation in overseas fairs.
AEPD India

The past few years have seen AEPC step up its activities to bring the entire industry together, from ground-level training programs to spotting new markets and steering trade delegations overseas. The activities of the council have been instrumental in increasing the footprint of India in international apparel business, particularly in the backdrop of a changing global trade environment.
AEPD India

The garment and apparel sector and exports have seen exponential growth, with AEPC registering a 12.9% growth in December 2024 exports alone. The increase can be traced to higher demand from major markets like the USA, UK, Germany, and rising FTA partner countries like South Korea and Australia.

In addition to further strengthen the industry, the Indian government along with AEPC has launched some schemes, such as the PM MITRA Mega Textile Parks and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. These schemes would facilitate world-class infrastructure and large-scale investments, thus increasing the competitiveness of the garment and apparel industry as well as exports.
Reuters

Sustainability has emerged as a key pillar of AEPC’s strategy as the global focus on environmentally friendly manufacturing practices has increased. The council introduced Apparel Industry Sustainability Action (AISA) for the promotion of sustainable manufacturing practices in garment clusters with a focus on water and energy conservation, waste management, and utilization of renewable energy.
ETEnergyworld.com

AEPC’s focus on sustainability is also reflected in its initiatives to bring Indian garment plants in line with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) norms. Through the promotion of green technologies and practices, AEPC hopes to make the country’s apparel and garment industry and exports compatible with international environmental laws, keeping them competitive abroad.

The council also focuses strongly on skill building, working in association with institutes such as the Apparel Training and Design Centres (ATDCs) to provide formal training schemes. These programs are intended to impart skills useful to the industry to the workforce, hence increasing productivity and enabling the long-term growth of the apparel and garment industry as well as exports.
Association Executives

AEPC’s aggressive strategy in promoting garment and apparel industry and exports has made India a destination of choice for world buyers. Through the relentless pursuit of trends and innovation, AEPC keeps the Indian garment trade resilient and competitive in the global market.
AEPD India

Therefore, AEPC’s initiatives on several fronts, from policy advocacy and infrastructure building to sustainability and skill development, have played a pivotal role in propelling the growth of India’s garment and apparel industry as well as exports. As the industry keeps unfolding, AEPC’s role continues to be indispensable in navigating challenges and taking advantage of the emerging opportunities on the global apparel map.