India'S Clothing Exports Gradually Lose Its Edge.

The recent report issued by the the Federationof Indian Chambersof Commerceand Industry (FICCI) Union (the Chambersof Commerceand Industry, FICCI) indicates that India garment exporters are gradually losing their advantages in the face of competition in mainland China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

In 2009, the total volume of textiles and garments exported from India to the European Union and the United States accounted for nearly two of the total exports of its textile products, but the amount was 11%.

Between 2004 and 2009, India's textile and clothing exports to the United States grew at an annual rate of only 4.2%, while that of mainland China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh increased by 15.3%, 14.5%, 8.9% and 11.5% respectively.

The report points out that Vietnam's textile and clothing exports exceeded India in 2009.

Similarly, clothing exports to the European Union are similar. Despite the economic downturn in the European Union, the amount of India exported to Bangladesh in 2009 is still growing by 3.6%, but India, mainland China and China are failing.

According to FICCI's report, the market share of India and Bangladesh in the European Union in 2005 was about the same, about 6.2%, but by 2008, Bangladesh rose to 7.5%, while India only grew 6.8%. In 2009, the gap between them increased, Bangladesh's share grew to 8.9%, while India rose slightly to 7.2%.

In addition, the market share of mainland China in the EU garment imports market grew from 42.7% to 44.7%, while Turkey declined from 12.7% to 12.2%.

In terms of textiles, India exported to 15.7% of the EU in 2009, and Mainland China, Turkey and Pakistan fell 12.9%, 15.3% and 9.8% respectively.

In 2009, the market share of Pakistan's textile products in the EU grew slightly, while India, mainland China and Turkey declined.

The FICCI report puts forward proposals to revitalize the garment industry in India, including the decentralization of export markets, the merger of small and medium-sized enterprises, the production of high-tech fibers, the increase of local textile equipment and the enhancement of government support in technology.