Date:13/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/13/stories/2005011303520300.htm

Back Textile export to quota countries in Jan-Dec up 5.48 pc

Our Bureau

Mumbai , Jan. 12

THE new year has begun on a promising note for Indian apparel exporters, with the latest export figures to quota countries for January-December 2004 having grown by 5.48 per cent in quantity terms and 11.86 per cent in dollar value terms.

This despite the fall in exports in December, by 20.25 per cent in terms of quantity and 14.71 per cent in value terms.

According to the President, Confederation of Indian Apparel Exporters, Mr Amit Goyal, the slowdown was mainly witnessed in exports to the US where quotas for sensitive categories such as men's shirts and blended garments came under an embargo while categories such as T-shirts and pants were fully utilised and several exporters held back their shipments in December.

Exports of readymade garments to restricted countries during the January-December 2004 period amounted to 1,248.3 million pieces, valued at $5,205.6 million (Rs 23,582.80 crore) — an increase of 5.48 per cent in quantity and 11.86 per cent in dollar value terms compared with the same period of previous year.

Exports to the US for the period grew by 10 per cent in volume and 7 per cent in value. In the same period, exports to the EU rose by 4.5 per cent in quantity and 17 per cent in dollar value terms.