India's apparel exports to UAE should grow by 10% to 15%: CMAI

January 03, 2024

Category: GARMENTS

Country: India

Region: Middle East

Indian exports to the United Arab Emirates should grow by around 10% to 15%, per year thanks to growing demand and recent trade partnerships, according to the Clothing Manufacturers’ Association of India. The Indian apparel industry is keen to export homegrown brands as well as finished garments made for other labels.

By Isabelle Crossley
2nd January, 2024.

As part of its work towards increasing apparel exports and promoting Indian fashion brands, the CMAI held its first ‘Brands of India exhibition in the UAE to facilitate networking with importers in the region. “We could showcase close to 350 Indian brands to the buyers in the Middle East and North Africa region,” said the CMAI’s president Rajesh Masand, ET Bureau reported. “We wanted to begin from a place which has a large number of Indian diasporas.”

India is the second largest garment exporter to the UAE following China and is able to make orders in smaller quantities than some of its competitor nations. The CMAI is confident that Indian manufacturers’ higher customisation capabilities will enable them to capture a greater segment of the market.

“The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is expected to give a boost to India’s apparel exports to the region,” said the CMAI’s vice president Jayesh Shah, the Economic Times reported. “The Brands of India exhibition helped Indian manufacturers establish trade relationships with buyers who cater to UAE, North Africa, and parts of Europe.”