Japanese Firms Eye Investment in India's Growing Textiles Sector

• India eyes growth in textile exports to Japan.
• Current share is just 1% of Japan’s $23B market.
• Govt support, trade access boost investment potential.

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) believes that there is enormous scope for Indian and Japanese companies to collaborate in the textiles sector.

AEPC Chairman, Sudhir Sekhri said that there have been several meetings between apparel companies from the two counties in order to explore investment and business opportunities.

He added, "We have appealed to increase their (Japan) sourcing and invest more in India. We had successful meetings with major brands like Uniqlo, Adastria, Toray, Itokin company, Broque Japan, Daiso, along with YKK and Pegasus".

A number of Indian companies are currently exhibiting their capabilities to meet Japan's stringent quality standards at the India Tex Trend Fair (ITTF) in Tokyo.

"We invite all our Japanese partners to engage with Indian exhibitors, explore collaborative possibilities, and experience firsthand the strength and reliability of India as a preferred sourcing destination", Sudhir Sekhri noted.

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The fair was inaugurated by Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh and organized by the Embassy of India, Ministry of Textiles, AEPC and the Japan India Industry Promotion Association (JIIPA).

The Indian government is committed to fostering the sector through programs such as the seven PM MITRA Parks in order to grow domestic manufacturing and exports.

AEPC said India has a unique opportunity to increase garment exports to Japan by utilizing duty-free trade access, sustainable practices, and flexible manufacturing capabilities.

In 2024, while Japan imported about USD 23 billion of garments, India's share was only USD 234.5 million, or about 1%. AEPC views this gap as a clear opportunity for Indian exporters to increase their garment exports to Japan and build a business in the Japanese market.