Representing most exporters in the NCR, the Garment Exporters Manufacturers Association is the biggest association for garment manufacturers and exporters. Nilesh Jindal, President, expounds on the association and current industry in India. 

GEMA is the biggest garment manufacturing exporters’ association after AEPC.  

The association is an amalgamation of the Garment Exporters' Association (GEA) and Apparel Exporters & Manufacturers Association (AEMA) which were earlier two separate associations.  “The association represents the NCR and many of its members are also members of AEPC,” notes Nilesh Jindal, President of the Association. 

The apparel industry is currently going through very bad times.  There was a time when all duty drawbacks such as MEIS, ROSL were granted to exporters. 

“However, the introduction of GST has brought in a lot of changes.  Around 6 percent of these duty drawbacks have been reduced. A lot of exporters’ money has been blocked which has made survival difficult for them.  Neither ROSL nor MEIS has been granted since March 2019. Smaller exporters are facing fund blockages of around a crore of rupees. Their working capital has been reduced to zero which is making their survival difficult,” avers Jindal.

Textiles is the highest employment generating industries in India. “However to generate this employment, we need a fresh capital infusion to spur investments and boost meaningful employment. As investment of one crore in the apparel industry can create around 72 new jobs which is unparallel,” views Jindal. 

Even though Bangladesh is of the size of West Bengal, their exports are almost double than that of India. “Our labour availability is also better. However, we need to prioritise development of the sector and give it the required attention,” adds Jindal.