Centre waives customs duty on cotton imports till Oct 31 to support textile industry

May 31, 2026 9:34 AM

Centre waives customs duty on cotton imports till Oct 31 to support textile industry

The central government has announced a temporary exemption from all customs duties on cotton imports from June 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, in a move aimed at improving the availability of cotton for India's textile industry. According to the Ministry of Finance, the measure is expected to lower input costs across the textile and apparel value chain, providing targeted relief to manufacturers while also benefiting consumers. The government said the decision has been taken while keeping the int...

Engineering goods, textiles, leather among sectors to gain significantly: FIEO on US deal

February 3, 2026 10:04 AM

Engineering goods, textiles, leather among sectors to gain significantly: FIEO on US deal

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) on Tuesday hailed finalisation of the India-US trade deal, under which the United States has agreed to reduce tariffs on all 'made in india' products to 18 per cent, saying it marks a significant milestone in further boosting and strengthening bilateral trade relations between the two countries. Sectors such as engineering goods, textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, leather products, gems and jewellery, and agricultural products ...

UK PM Keir Starmer calls India–UK Free Trade Agreement “hugely important”

October 8, 2025 4:28 PM

UK PM Keir Starmer calls India–UK Free Trade Agreement “hugely important”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday described the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as the “biggest deal” the United Kingdom has struck since leaving the European Union, terming it “hugely important” for both nations. Addressing business leaders during an interaction in Mumbai, Starmer said, “This is the biggest trade mission that the United Kingdom has ever sent to India.” He added that his visit marks the “return leg” following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s...

Invest in India, Invest in Uttar Pradesh: PM Modi at UP International Trade Show 2025

September 25, 2025 2:54 PM

Invest in India, Invest in Uttar Pradesh: PM Modi at UP International Trade Show 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show 2025 (UPITS-2025) in Greater Noida, emphasising India’s growth trajectory, reforms, and the need for self-reliance in research, manufacturing, and trade. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of research, stating, “Investment in this domain must increase manifold. Private investment in research is now imperative, and we must create a comprehensive ecosystem for i...

Piyush Goyal chairs meeting with exporters to address global tariff challenges

September 3, 2025 10:41 PM

Piyush Goyal chairs meeting with exporters to address global tariff challenges

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal chaired a meeting with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and industry associations on Wednesday to discuss the impact of rising global tariffs on Indian exports and explore ways to safeguard trade interests. Industry representatives from sectors including textiles, apparel, engineering, gems and jewellery, leather, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and services presented their concerns. They highlighted how tariff barriers are imp...

Giriraj reviews initiatives to boost textile value chain

May 28, 2025 11:21 AM

Giriraj reviews initiatives to boost textile value chain

A Textile Advisory Group (TAG) meeting was chaired by Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh on Cotton and MMF to review the progress of initiatives aimed at strengthening the entire textile value chain. The Union Minister underscored the critical need to enhance productivity and quality under Mission for Cotton Productivity to match the 5F vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He underlined that innovation and collaboration will be key to boost farm productivity and ensure that benefits ar...

India highlights textile and handicraft capabilities at INDEX Dubai 2025 amid rising UAE demand

May 27, 2025 6:32 PM

India highlights textile and handicraft capabilities at INDEX Dubai 2025 amid rising UAE demand

India has made a significant impact at INDEX Dubai 2025, the Middle East and North Africa’s leading interior design and furniture exhibition, with 55 companies showcasing their products to tap into the region’s expanding $25 billion interior design market, projected to grow to $35 billion by 2031. The three-day exhibition, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 27 to 29, has long served as a vital platform connecting international brands with buyers from across the Middle East. This ...

India strengthens global position in technical textiles with strategic initiatives

March 27, 2025 8:37 PM

India strengthens global position in technical textiles with strategic initiatives

India’s textile industry continues to be a key pillar of the national economy, contributing nearly 2% to the country’s GDP. As the sixth-largest textile exporter globally, with a 3.9% share in world textile exports, the sector is poised for significant growth, projected to reach USD 350 billion by 2030. This expansion is expected to generate 3.5 crore jobs, further solidifying India’s standing in the global textile market. While traditional textiles remain vital, the emergence of technica...