India, Saudi Arabia Focus on Textiles, Man-Made Fibres Tie

• India and Saudi Arabia explore joint efforts in textiles, including garments, technical textiles, and handicrafts
• Saudi investment in India’s ready-made garments sector can boost employment and exports
• Partnership leverages Saudi petrochemical strengths and India’s man-made fibre and technical textile capabilities

The Indian and Saudi Arabian authorities met to discuss possible tactics in textile manufacturing and trade collaboration that would allow them to tap into the huge production capacity and market areas, as per the announcement from the Indian textiles ministry.

The potential partnership areas are identified as ready-made garments, technical textiles, man-made fibers, carpets, hand looms, and handicrafts.

India and Saudi Arabia are strengthening their trade ties through textiles collaboration, focusing on technical textiles, ready-made garments, and man-made fibres. This India-Saudi industrial partnership aims to boost the textile industry, enhance bilateral trade, and foster textile innovation through international textiles collaboration.

Neal Shami Rao, the Secretary of Indian Textiles spoke with Khalil ibn Salamah, the Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia. In 2024, India emerged as the second-largest exporter to Saudi Arabia's textile and apparel sector, with exports valued at $517.5 million and an 11.2% share of the kingdom's total textile and apparel imports.

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The ministry stated, "Discussions also emphasized the importance of promoting sustainability across traditional sectors such as handloom, handicrafts, and carpets. These sectors not only represent India’s rich cultural and artisanal heritage but also resonate with global consumer preferences for eco-friendly and ethically produced goods".

The discussion pointed to substantial investment options in India's ready-made garments sector, which is a crucial source of job creation and export diversification. The two countries examined ideas for improving production capacity and expanding market access through cooperative textile manufacturing and trading.

The meeting's highlight included the acknowledgement of Saudi Arabia's capacity in the petrochemical base industries and India's developing competence in man-made fibres and technical textiles, which would be critical to trade between the two countries and would allow synergies across raw materials, technology, and product innovation.