Dr. A Sakthivel, Chairman AEPC, while releasing the apparel export data for the month of March 2012-13 stated that, “Export in dollar terms for 12 months of the Financial Year (FY) 2012-13 has declined by 6 per cent over the same period of previous FY and reached to USD 12923 million however, in rupee terms exports increased by 7 per cent compared to same period of last FY.

"In April-March 2012-13 in rupee terms apparel export of India was to the tune of Rs. 70312 crore compared to Rs. 65709 crore in April-March 2011-12.”

Apparel exports were to the tune of USD 1389 million in March 2012-13 with increase of 12 per cent against the corresponding month of last financial year. In rupee terms, the exports have increased by 21 per cent in March 2012-13 over the same month of previous FY, he added.

In the FY 2011-12 exports in dollar terms increased by 17.9 per cent from previous FY. Chairman AEPC has on behalf of the apparel Industry has demanded  duty credit scrip @ 5% of garment exports for the export performance in the year 2012 -13, for issuance of duty credit scrip from the year 2013 -14 and onwards.

On account of the spiraling cotton yarn prices Chairman has proposed the banning the cotton exports from India or allowing garments exporters to import duty free yarn and fabrics. These demands are essential to honor our commitment to the buyers who have given orders before the hike in the cotton yarn. I hope the Government will understand the pressing crisis of this job critical sector and act, he added, Garment exports have been constantly falling since July 2012.

Dr. Sakthivel informed that, “EU’s apparel import accounted for USD 15.6 billion for the Jan.-Feb. 2013 with a decline of 3.1 per cent over the previous year. India’s export to EU for the Jan-Feb 2013 amounted to USD 1.1 billion with a decline of 6.5 per cent compared to same period of previous year.”

He further said, “For the period Jan-Feb 2013 apparel suppliers Like Bangladesh and Turkey have registered increase in the apparel export to EU and China and India has registered decline. In the month of February 2013 compared to same month of last year, apparel suppliers Like Bangladesh and Turkey have registered increase in the apparel export to EU and China and India has registered decline. Highest fall in import has been registered by China and India.”

EU’s apparel import accounted for USD 83625 million in the year 2012 with a decline of 12.3 per cent over the previous year. India’s export to EU amounted to USD 5129 million with decline of 21 per cent over the previous year.

Speaking on the Apparel Imports of US Chairman AEPC commented, “Apparel imports of the United States witnessed increase of 4.7 per cent in the first two years of 2013 from the previous year and amounted to 13.2 billion dollars. In the Jan-Feb 2013, US imports of apparel from India declined by 7.2% per cent and reached to USD 571 million against USD 615 million in Jan-Feb. 2013.