The textile sector is one of India’s oldest and most vital industries, contributing approximately 2.3% to India’s GDP, 13% to industrial production, and 10.5% to total exports. Globally, India ranks as the second-largest producer of textiles and garments and the fifth-largest exporter, encompassing a wide range of products including apparel, home furnishings, and technical textiles.
Primus Partners, a leading Indian management consulting firm, has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to propel India’s textile exports to USD 100 billion over the next five years. Anchored in a six-point strategy, the roadmap outlines key recommendations to diversify export offerings, integrate Industry 4.0, increase skilled manpower, enhance infrastructure, and build industry capacity. Launched at a time of shifting global trade dynamics and new tariff alignments, the roadmap positions India to become a preferred sourcing destination and a global leader in textile manufacturing.
The document titled ‘Roadmap for US$ 100 Bn Exports in 5 Years: Six Recommendations that will drive the Textile Industry’ talks about:
- Integration of Industry 4.0 in the Textile Sector: Will lead to approximately a 15% reduction in operational waste
- Encouraging Free Trade Agreements and Market: Will boost India’s Textile Competitiveness
- Strengthening existing Operational Subsidies: Will enhance Textile Industry advantage
- Establishing Specialized Training Centres in Key Textile Hubs, focusing on Tier 2 & Tier 3 Cities: Will raise the Skilled Workforce Share to 50%
- Transforming Textile MSMEs to Global Giants: By Moving from Small to Scalable Enterprises
- Focus on Driving growth & exports through Technical Textiles: Will reinforce share in global Technical Textile Market
Kanishk Maheshwari, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Primus Partners, said, “These six strategic recommendations serve not just as directional guidance but as a comprehensive blueprint to accelerate the growth of India’s textile industry. By diversifying export products, expanding into new markets, attracting investments, strengthening logistics and infrastructure, and building long-term capacity, we believe India is well-positioned to significantly enhance its global standing in textiles. On the policy front, the implementation of reciprocal tariffs represents more than just relief—it is a defining opportunity for India to emerge as a preferred sourcing hub for the U.S. market. Furthermore, the recent Free Trade Agreement with the UK presents a pivotal moment to strengthen the industry’s global competitiveness. With a focused approach and timely execution, these recommendations have the potential to propel India’s textile exports to USD 100 billion over the next five years, firmly establishing the nation as a global leader in textile manufacturing.”
The textile sector stands at the cusp of significant expansion, presenting a strategic opportunity for national economic growth. The recommendations urge policymakers to support initiatives that drive operational efficiency, streamline supply chains, and promote higher value addition—critical factors for sustaining competitiveness in a changing tariff landscape.