India-NZ FTA seen boosting textile exports, aiding $350 billion sector target: CITI

The Free Commerce Settlement (FTA) between India and New Zealand is predicted to supply a lift to India’s textile exports and help the sector’s aspiration of reaching $350 billion by 2030, the Confederation of Indian Textile Business (CITI) mentioned.

Based on Confederation of Indian Textile Business, the FTA will strengthen efforts by textile and attire exporters to scale back dependence on choose markets and transfer up the worth chain. The business physique mentioned the settlement will present duty-free entry to Indian textiles within the New Zealand market. CITI mentioned “made-up textile articles” had been the fourth-largest class of Indian imports into New Zealand within the 12 months ended December 2025, citing information from New Zealand’s Ministry of International Affairs and Commerce.

It added that New Zealand’s imports of Indian made-up textile articles stood at NZ$80.22 million through the interval. CITI Chairman Ashwin Chandran mentioned, “Amid the continuing geopolitical rigidity in West Asia, the signing of the FTA between India and New Zealand comes as a breath of contemporary air for India’s textile and attire exporters.”

Chandran added that New Zealand, being a high-income and quality-conscious market, can function a validation for Indian textile merchandise when it comes to high quality and pricing. He famous that this might help exporters in scaling up the worth chain and creating extra jobs by leveraging a number of FTAs signed by India.

CITI mentioned segments akin to sustainable textiles, residence textiles and technical textiles supply robust development potential within the New Zealand market. The business physique added that New Zealand’s place as a significant exporter of high-quality wool might assist Indian corporations import premium uncooked materials and manufacture high-end clothes for export.

India’s textile and attire sector is the nation’s second-largest employer and a key contributor to GDP and exports, with a goal of reaching $100 billion in exports by 2030 as a part of the broader $350 billion business aim, CITI mentioned.

Revealed on April 27, 2026