New Delhi, May 14 -- The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has urged the Centre to reduce import duty on cotton to zero from the existing 11 percent, citing rising input costs and supply constraints impacting the textile and apparel industry.

AEPC Chairman A. Sakthivel led a delegation of industry representatives that met Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Giriraj Singh, submitting representations on the issue.

Rising Input Costs Erode Export Competitiveness

During the meeting, the delegation highlighted that high domestic cotton prices and elevated input costs are eroding the competitiveness of Indian exporters at a time when several Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are opening new market opportunities.

Indust...