TEXPROCIL welcomes the finalization of the India UAE CEPA

Mr. Manoj Patodia, Chairman -TEXPROCIL

New Delhi (India), April 1: Shri Manoj Patodia, Chairman of The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) thanked the Hon’ble PM, Shri Narendra Modi ji for his visionary leadership and Shri Piyush Goyal ji, Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Commerce and Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution for their relentless efforts which has enabled the finalization of the India UAE CEPA (Comprehensive & Economic Partnership Agreement) on 27^th March 2022.

The Chairman pointed out that with a “zero for zero” duty free access for textiles and clothing, well supported by robust Rules of Origin, Indian export of cotton textiles to the region are poised to grow exponentially in the coming years.

The CEPA is expected to generate an additional increase of US$ 2 billion in overall exports over the next 5 years and will also provide a platform for SMEs to expand internationally by access to new customers, networks and avenues of collaboration. It is also expected to improve the Women Workforce Participation Rate & increase employment opportunities for youth.

The Chairman mentioned that there is good potential for export of cotton textile items like bed & bath linen, kitchen & table linen, curtains & valances, quilts and comforters and cotton woven fabrics including denim.

With the setting up of Warehousing or Distribution Centres in UAE, the CEPA will encourage trade movement to neighboring GCC as well as African markets and initiatives like these will help in collaboration, innovation, and cooperation between the two countries.

With India crossing its ambitious target of US$ 400 billion in goods export this year, the India UAE CEPA will provide the much necessary impetus and momentum to increase our exports in home textiles and fabrics to the UAE, the Chairman added.