Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Padma Shri Dr A. Sakthivel, held a series of high-level meetings in New Delhi on January 14, 2026, engaging with senior government leaders to address the mounting challenges faced by Indian apparel exporters due to recent US tariff pressures.
Dr Sakthivel met with the Hon’ble Union Minister for Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, Shri Shaktikanta Das, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Rajesh Agarwal, IAS, Secretary (Commerce), and Shri Bipin Menon, Trade Advisor, at their respective offices.
During these interactions, the AEPC Chairman strongly underlined the urgent need for immediate remedial measures, particularly for exporters who are heavily dependent on the US market. He highlighted that the current tariff environment has significantly impacted cost competitiveness, placing immense pressure on exporters already grappling with rising input costs, compliance requirements, and volatile global demand.
Dr Sakthivel emphasised that timely policy intervention is critical not only to protect export volumes but also to safeguard employment and maintain stability across the apparel value chain. He cautioned that any prolonged delay in relief measures could have far-reaching consequences for both exporters and the broader ecosystem that supports India’s apparel trade.
As a key immediate relief proposal, the AEPC Chairman recommended the introduction of a Focus Market Scheme (FMS) at the rate of 20 per cent, to be extended to affected exporters in the form of duty credit scrips. He explained that such a targeted measure would help offset tariff-related disadvantages, restore competitiveness in the US market, and provide much-needed confidence to exporters during this challenging phase.
According to Dr Sakthivel, a Focus Market Scheme would serve as a practical short-term solution while longer-term trade and market diversification strategies are pursued. He reiterated that sustaining India’s presence in the US market remains crucial, given its importance as one of the country’s largest destinations for apparel exports.
The Apparel Export Promotion Council expressed optimism that the Government would consider the representations with due urgency and extend appropriate support measures. The Council believes that proactive intervention at this stage will help ensure that India’s apparel export sector remains resilient, competitive, and globally relevant, despite ongoing trade uncertainties.
