The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has welcomed the signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed between India’s Hon’ble Commerce & Industry Minister (HCIM) Shri Piyush Goyal and Hon. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, New Zealand, calling it a significant milestone that will unlock new growth opportunities for India’s textile and apparel sector.
AEPC Chairman Dr. A. Sakthivel said, “This forward-looking agreement is a major boost for India’s apparel exporters. With 100% duty-free access to the New Zealand market, Indian products will gain immediate price competitiveness, particularly in labour-intensive segments such as garments and textiles. This will support higher export volumes, job creation, and growth of MSMEs across the value chain.”
Dr. Sakthivel highlighted that New Zealand imports over USD 1.2 billion worth of ready-made garments annually, with India currently holding a share of around 4.4%. He noted that the FTA presents a strong opportunity to significantly enhance India’s presence in this market, especially in key categories such as cotton T-shirts, shirts, knitwear, and garments.
He further emphasised that the trade deal has the potential to treble India’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports to New Zealand within the next two years, driven by improved market access and competitive pricing.
AEPC further noted that the FTA aligns well with India’s strengths in cotton-based apparel and offers scope for diversification into man-made fibre segments to better match New Zealand’s import demand trends.
Highlighting the broader sectoral impact, Dr. Sakthivel said, “The textiles and clothing sector, being one of the largest employment generators in the country, stands to benefit immensely from this agreement. It will strengthen India’s position as a reliable sourcing destination and drive sustainable export growth.”
AEPC reiterated its commitment to supporting exporters in leveraging the full benefits of the agreement through focused market outreach, capacity building, and export promotion initiatives.
“This agreement opens a new chapter for India’s apparel exports to New Zealand. AEPC will work closely with the industry to translate this opportunity into tangible gains,” Dr. Sakthivel added.
