Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan Highlights Apparel Exports as Key Driver for India’s Economic Growth and Viksit Bharat Vision

New Delhi, December 20: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday underscored the vital role of apparel exports in India’s economic growth and their contribution to realizing the vision of a developed, self-reliant nation. Speaking at the Annual Awards Function of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) in New Delhi, the Vice-President congratulated awardees for their remarkable achievements in the apparel export sector and lauded Indian exporters for their resilience amid global economic uncertainties. Addressing industry leaders and stakeholders, V-P Radhakrishnan highlighted that the apparel and textile sector is a critical pillar of the Indian economy. It provides direct employment to over 45 million people and supports more than 100 million livelihoods indirectly. The sector contributes approximately 2 per cent to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounts for nearly 11 per cent of manufacturing Gross Value Added (GVA). The Vice-President noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has provided comprehensive policy support to strengthen the textiles and apparel industry. Initiatives such as PM MITRA Parks and the SAMARTH Skill Development Programme have been pivotal in promoting growth, skill development, and competitiveness in the sector. He referred to the Prime Minister’s Vision 2030, which aims to position India as a global powerhouse in textiles and apparel. Radhakrishnan emphasised that government initiatives achieve their intended impact only when industry stakeholders respond with innovation, strategic investment, and determination. He expressed satisfaction that Indian apparel exporters have demonstrated adaptability and continued progress despite challenges posed by global market volatility. The Vice-President urged the industry to explore new and emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America to expand their global footprint. He encouraged stakeholders to focus on value addition, diversify the export basket, reduce import dependence, enhance research and development, and promote sustainable and environmentally responsible exports. Observing that textiles are labour-intensive and the second-largest source of employment after agriculture, Radhakrishnan stressed the importance of ensuring labour welfare across the entire value chain. He projected that exports from the sector are expected to double in the coming years, generating significant employment opportunities and contributing to India’s economic growth. Highlighting his personal connection to the textile industry, the Vice-President shared that he hails from Tiruppur, India’s hosiery and knitwear hub, and has closely witnessed the sector’s evolution. His experience as a Member of Parliament and Co-Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Textiles under the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce provided him insights into sectoral challenges and policy recommendations. Radhakrishnan also appreciated AEPC’s role as a vital link between the government and industry, noting that the council has been instrumental in facilitating exports and supporting exporters. During the event, he released AEPC’s coffee table book, “Threads of Time: Story of India’s Textiles,” celebrating the sector’s rich heritage and achievements. The function was attended by Delhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, AEPC Chairman Sudhir Sekhri, AEPC Vice Chairman Dr. A. Sakthivel, and senior representatives from the textile and apparel industry. The Vice-President’s remarks highlighted the sector’s critical role in achieving India’s broader economic goals and the Viksit Bharat vision. Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan Highlights Apparel Exports as Key Driver for India’s Economic Growth and Viksit Bharat Vision Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday said apparel exports are vital for India’s growth and will play a key role in achieving the vision of a developed and self-reliant nation. Speaking at the Annual Awards Function of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) in New Delhi, he congratulated awardees for their outstanding contributions and praised Indian exporters for showing resilience despite global challenges. Radhakrishnan highlighted that the apparel and textile sector is a major part of the economy, providing direct employment to over 45 million people and supporting more than 100 million livelihoods indirectly. He noted that the sector contributes around 2% to India’s GDP and nearly 11% to manufacturing Gross Value Added. The Vice-President said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government has supported the industry through initiatives like PM MITRA Parks and the SAMARTH Skill Development Programme. He mentioned that Vision 2030 aims to make India a global textile and apparel powerhouse. He encouraged exporters to explore new markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America while focusing on value addition, export diversification, reducing import dependence, research and development, and promoting sustainable exports. Radhakrishnan also stressed the importance of labour welfare across the value chain, as textiles are labour-intensive and the second-largest source of employment after agriculture. Sharing his personal connection to the industry, he said he hails from Tiruppur, India’s hosiery hub, and has closely seen the sector grow. He also appreciated AEPC’s role as a bridge between the government and industry and released its coffee table book, “Threads of Time: Story of India’s Textiles.” The event was attended by Delhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, AEPC Chairman Sudhir Sekhri, AEPC Vice Chairman Dr. A. Sakthivel, and senior industry representatives. The Vice-President’s remarks emphasized how apparel exports can drive economic growth and support the Viksit Bharat vision.