CEPA likely to boost exports from Tirupur by 20 to 50pc in few years

Tirupur exports of readymade garments has almost touched Rs 21,000 crore in 2014-15, witnessing 17 percent growth over last year. With Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) expected in September, exports from Tirupur, the knitwear hub is likely to grow by 20 to 50 percent in a few years, said an exporters’ association functionary.

Tirupur Exporters’ Association president, A Shaktivel expressed confidence that though exports to Canada from Tirupur was nil, despite India’s exports of Rs 650 crore, CEPA would boost exports from Tirupur, which can register at least Rs 200 crore in the initial year, with major markets still being the US and European Union.

The prime ministers of both the countries recently discussed the CEPA issue for mutual benefit, by which India can get master trainers for developing skills.

Moreover, garment manufacturers were now concentrating more on polyester and viscose material, to compete with China and at least 15 to 25 percent market can be captured in the long run, he said, adding, compared to China, India has also labour advantage, to give that nation a run for its money.

Tirupur manufacturers have ventured into technical garments like cool mats, anti-bacterial and sweat management, for which the demand was growing across the globe, particularly in sports wears.

Moreover, there were lot of investments going into latest printing machinery, such as 3D, which were hitherto available only in Italy and Turkey, that would add value and also give edge to the products from Tirupur.

Similarly, an agreement with Australia, another major market, could also create a conducive atmosphere for Tirupur exporters.