The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (Texprocil) has voiced concern over the steep decline in cotton textile exports.

Statistics show exports (including raw cotton) dipping to $11,353.15 in 2014-15 compared to $13,306 in 2013-14. Exports of cotton textiles (excluding raw cotton) registered a negative growth in 2014-15, slipping to $9,452.96 against $9,669.05 achieved during the earlier fiscal.

“Lack of adequate focus and proper planning towards boosting exports has resulted in such a situation, that too in a sector that has recognised the “Make in India” concept and boosted job creation,” Texprocil Chairman RK Dalmia said.

Urging immediate intervention from the government to bail out this ailing sector, he said inclusion of cotton textiles under the 3 per cent interest subvention scheme, release of funds through TUF and recalibrating the product/country matrix under the newly introduced Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) will have a direct bearing in improving India’s competitiveness in the short- to medium-term. Besides these, much needs to be done towards “ease of doing business” and “simplification of procedures”, the Texprocil chief reiterated.

Curtailment of benefits under the Incremental Export Incentivisation Scheme (2013-14) to a maximum of ₹20 lakh and withdrawal of Focus Market Scheme for cotton yarns to non-conventional markets such as Peru and Morocco further aggravated the decline, Dalmia said.

The council has urged the Centre to conclude FTAs with the European Union, Australia and Canada to remove trade barriers and gain market access to these markets.

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