Textile Export Promotion Councils of India

The Textile Export Promotion Councils of India are autonomous, non-profit organisations established under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, to promote and facilitate the export of textile and apparel products from the country. These councils act as a vital link between the Indian textile industry, government authorities, and international buyers, ensuring that Indian textiles maintain a strong presence in global markets. They play a crucial role in policy formulation, trade promotion, and capacity building across various segments of the textile value chain.

Background and Establishment

India’s textile sector is one of the oldest and most significant industries, contributing substantially to employment, GDP, and export earnings. To promote this sector globally, the Government of India established a network of Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) under the Foreign Trade Policy framework. These councils are registered under the Companies Act, 1956/2013, and operate as non-profit bodies under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles.
The Textile Export Promotion Councils were created to represent specific product categories—ranging from cotton and wool to synthetic textiles, silk, jute, and apparel—thereby ensuring specialised attention to each segment’s needs and challenges.

Objectives and Functions

The primary objective of the Textile Export Promotion Councils is to enhance the global competitiveness and visibility of Indian textile products. Their major functions include:

• Market Promotion: Organising trade fairs, buyer–seller meets, and participation in international exhibitions to showcase Indian products.
• Market Intelligence: Conducting market studies and disseminating information about global trends, trade opportunities, and tariff/non-tariff barriers.
• Policy Advocacy: Representing industry concerns before the government to influence trade and export policies favourably.
• Quality and Standards: Ensuring adherence to international quality standards and certification requirements.
• Capacity Building: Conducting workshops, training, and awareness programmes to support exporters, particularly small and medium enterprises.
• Export Documentation: Facilitating the issuance of export-related certificates, such as the Registration–cum–Membership Certificate (RCMC), required for availing export benefits.

Major Textile Export Promotion Councils in India

The Ministry of Textiles oversees several export promotion councils, each dedicated to a specific segment of the industry. The major councils include:

1. Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL):
   • Established in 1954.
   • Promotes exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, and made-ups.
   • Known as the international face of India’s cotton textile sector.
2. Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC):
   • Promotes exports of synthetic fibres, yarns, and blended textiles.
   • Focuses on developing markets for man-made fibre products globally.
3. Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC):
   • Promotes exports of wool, woollen yarns, fabrics, knitwear, and blankets.
   • Supports traditional wool-producing regions and artisans.
4. Silk Export Promotion Council (SEPC):
   • Encourages exports of natural silk, silk fabrics, and silk garments.
   • Works to promote India’s traditional sericulture and silk weaving clusters.
5. Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC):
   • Established in 1965.
   • Promotes exports of handloom products including fabrics, home furnishings, and floor coverings.
   • Supports rural and artisan-based handloom clusters.
6. Handicrafts Export Promotion Council (EPCH):
   • Focuses on the export of handicraft items made from textiles, metal, wood, and other materials.
   • Plays a key role in showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage through global exhibitions.
7. Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC):
   • The apex body for garment exporters.
   • Promotes ready-made garments and apparel made from various fibres.
   • Assists exporters with compliance, design development, and trade facilitation.
8. Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC):
   • Promotes exports of handmade carpets, rugs, and other floor coverings.
   • Works to preserve India’s traditional weaving skills and promote carpet clusters.
9. Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL):
   • Encourages the growth of the decentralised powerloom sector.
   • Facilitates export of powerloom fabrics, made-ups, and home textiles.
10. Jute Products Development and Export Promotion Council (JPDEPC):
    • Promotes exports of jute and jute-based diversified products.
    • Encourages eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials.

Role in International Trade

The Textile Export Promotion Councils play a strategic role in expanding India’s presence in global markets. Their efforts include:

• Trade Facilitation: Assisting exporters in understanding export procedures, tariffs, and logistics.
• Market Diversification: Identifying emerging markets beyond traditional destinations like the USA and EU.
• Collaboration: Building partnerships with international trade bodies, chambers of commerce, and fashion councils.
• Exhibitions and Fairs: Hosting flagship events such as India International Garment Fair (by AEPC) and India Carpet Expo (by CEPC) to connect Indian exporters with global buyers.

Government Support and Incentive Schemes

The Textile Export Promotion Councils coordinate closely with the Ministry of Textiles and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to implement government export promotion schemes, including:

• Market Access Initiative (MAI) and Market Development Assistance (MDA) schemes to subsidise exporters’ participation in international fairs.
• Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) to support exporters with subsidised credit.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for man-made fibre and technical textiles.
• Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) and Cluster Development Initiatives to improve infrastructure and competitiveness.

Challenges Faced

Despite their success, the Textile Export Promotion Councils face several challenges in sustaining global competitiveness:

• Global Competition: Emerging textile-producing countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China pose strong competition.
• Compliance and Sustainability: Increasing global emphasis on environmental standards and ethical labour practices demands continuous adaptation.
• Technological Upgradation: Many small and medium exporters face constraints in modernising their operations.
• Logistics and Infrastructure: High transaction costs and supply chain bottlenecks affect delivery schedules and cost efficiency.

Recent Developments

Recent government initiatives have focused on enhancing coordination between councils and introducing digital platforms for export registration, certification, and information dissemination. The Ministry of Textiles is also promoting Technical Textiles and Sustainable Fashion through new councils and industry alliances.
Furthermore, Indian councils have intensified participation in global fairs and e-commerce trade platforms to help exporters tap into digital marketplaces and diversify export destinations.

Importance to India’s Economy

The textile and apparel industry contributes significantly to India’s export earnings, and the Export Promotion Councils are instrumental in achieving this performance. They not only help in increasing export volumes but also assist in improving product quality, innovation, and international branding.