AEPC chairman hails India’s apparel exports to Australia

“India is the third largest apparel exporter of garment

to Australia as big brands and chain stores are sourcing from India. It has all the potential to boost business further,” said A Sakthivel, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), after attending the three-day Australia International Sourcing Fair (AISF) at Melbourne. “Garment exports must take advantage to tap this huge 5.61 billion dollars (Rs 35,225 crores) Australian apparel market. India's apparel exports to Australia in 2012 were around 111 million dollars (over Rs 600 crores),” he added. Under his leadership a delegation of 30 garment exporters participated in the AISF event.

The AISF is the only textile and clothing exhibition for the Australia and New Zealand region. The fair was held from November 13 to 15, 2013. Speaking after the inauguration, Sakthivel stated that Australia is the focus country for us, considering that India and Australia are at an advanced stage of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement and also the Australian buyers wanting to reduce their over dependence on China. “This fair provides the right opportunity for the Indian exporters to tap into the Australian clothing market,” he said, adding “India is the most preferred destination for brands like Zara, Gap, H&M, Mango, Elcorte, Desigual and Tommy Hilfiger apart from prominent chain stores like Walmart, C&N, JC Penney, Target, Sears, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Primark, Topshop and Tesco among others.”

Indian exhibitors displayed high fashion ladies garments, scarfs, beach wear, men's wear and denims at the India pavilion. Sakthivel invited the Australian buyers for the Tex Trends India, a clothing show, to he held on January 20 to 22, 2014 in New Delhi.