With the depreciation, there is no difference between Indian manufactured apparel and the apparel manufactured in Bangladesh. The depreciation in the rupee has not only cheered textile exporters but has managed to cheer domestic apparel industry as well.  Rupee depreciated around 20 per cent since last September when the duty free imports were allowed. Since September to March last year, textile items worth $1.8 bn were imported from Bangladesh, compared to $587 mn in full year before duty free imports were allowed. Lower labour cost there and removal import duty had made imported goods cheaper by around 20-15 per cent compared to buying apparels from domestic producers. This benefit has been negated by the falling rupee. However since last couple of months apparel imports from Bangladesh is estimated to have fallen around 60 to 70 per cent.
“Retailers are now looking at sourcing from domestic manufacturers instead of Bangladesh as imports have turned costlier due to the fall in the rupee. The domestic sector has definitely benefited due to retailers are now sourcing from domestic manufacturers,” said Rahul Mehta, President of The Clothing Manufacturers Association. Now with the depreciation in the rupee, there is no difference between Indian manufactured apparel and the apparel manufactured in Bangladesh. Harminder Sahani, Managing Director of Wazir Advisor, a retail consultancy firm reiterated, “Due to the depreciation in the rupee even many big retailers have cut down on their sourcing from Bangladesh.” When the duty free imports were allowed, many retailers had thought of setting up a base in Bangladesh, as cost of production was lower compared to India. These plans are on hold till the time rupee stabilises.