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The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) has joined hands with Bank of India (BoI) to provide tailor-made banking and credit solutions for India’s garment MSMEs. A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two organisations promises easier loans, lower transaction costs, and exclusive employee benefits for thousands of small and medium garment businesses. Partnership…

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), continuing its efforts to support the MSME-dominated garment sector, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bank of India (BOI). The collaboration aims to provide financial inclusion and a wide range of collateral-free MSME loans, credit card facilities, and other banking benefits customised for CMAI members.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Shampa Biswas, General Manager – Government Business Department, Bank of India, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with CMAI and extend our services to over 6,500 associated members at CMAIwith inclusive and customized financial solutions.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Ankur Gadia, Vice President, CMAI, stated, “This collaboration with Bank of India is aimed at easing financial access and providing comprehensive banking benefits to our members, 95% of which operate as MSMEs. These offerings will help strengthen operations by reducing costs, increasing financial security, and supporting employees with enhanced welfare schemes.”

CMAI members who are manufacturers and traders will be able to access exclusive banking facilities such as free cash handling of up to ₹20 lakhs per day, a complete waiver on RTGS and NEFT charges, complimentary accidental and fire insurance covers, along with customizable corporate banking solutions.

Employees of member organizations will also benefit through zero balance salary accounts, free accidental and disability insurance cover of up to ₹200 lakhs, education benefits for their children, as well as concessional loans and locker rent facilities.

A few more beneficial schemes are currently under discussion and are expected to be finalized shortly.

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) has extended a warm welcome to the recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom, calling it a major step forward for the Indian apparel export sector.

Although the agreement’s provision for 0% duty on textile and apparel products is expected to come into effect only by late 2026, once all formalities and approvals are completed, CMAI believes the impact will be felt much earlier. Industry stakeholders in the UK are expected to begin groundwork and supplier scouting well in advance, creating fresh momentum in the Indian textile industry.

With a significant Indian diaspora in the UK, the FTA is expected to open up new avenues for traditional Indian ethnic wear manufacturers, encouraging them to explore export opportunities more aggressively.

Speaking on the development, Santosh Katariya, President of CMAI, expressed optimism about domestic manufacturers’ competitiveness. “Since imports of apparel from the UK are likely to be in the luxury and high-priced category, I am confident of the Indian domestic manufacturers’ ability to face the increased competition,” he noted.

Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor at CMAI, emphasized the positive ripple effects of the agreement. “Duty-free imports from the UK will also raise the bar for Indian brands and retailers to enhance their quality, service, and brand positioning—all of which will ultimately benefit the Indian consumer,” he said.

In a significant move to strengthen India’s garment and textile sector, the Government of Chhattisgarh has partnered with the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) as a Partner State. This collaboration aims to harness the state’s robust Textile Policy to drive growth, investment, and employment opportunities in the Indian apparel industry.

A CMAI delegation, led by President Santosh Katariya, along with Mr. Naveen Sainani, Hon. General Secretary & Chairman of the FAB Show, Mr. Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, and Mr. Aanurag Dhoot, Senior Director, attended a roadshow in Mumbai hosted by the Government of Chhattisgarh. Following the roadshow, the delegation participated in a closed-door meeting with Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, and senior policymakers.

During the discussions, the proposal to associate the state with CMAI activities as a Partner State was finalized. This partnership underscores the state’s commitment to fostering a thriving ecosystem for textile and garment manufacturing, in alignment with its progressive Textile Policy.

Speaking about the ensuing partnership, Santosh Katariya, President asserted that the Indian Apparel industry can look at Chhattisgarh with hope for further expansion, recognizing the State’s immense potential. CMAI and its members can play a crucial role in generating employment opportunities, especially for women workers in the State’s mega Textile Park.

The collaboration between CMAI and the Government of Chhattisgarh is expected to pave the way for enhanced industry opportunities, bolster the Make in India initiative, and position the state as a key hub in the Indian garment and textile sector.

The 80th Edition of the National Garment Fair (NGF) Spring-Summer Edition, organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), successfully concluded in Mumbai after a dynamic three-day run from January 15 to 17, 2025 at the at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Shri Sanjay Savkare, Minister of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra to encouraging the Apparel Industry and assure policy and financial assistance support.

The event witnessed remarkable footfalls, with more than 21500 trade visitors including national and regional retailers, distributors, and wholesalers, driving strong business engagements that signals a promising retail season ahead. The overwhelming response and robust business activity at the 80th NGF further reinforces CMAI’s pivotal role in shaping the Indian apparel market, providing a comprehensive platform for sourcing, networking, collaborating, and exploring growth opportunities.

During his visit to the 80th NGF organized by CMAI, Hon’ble Shri Sanjay Savkare, Minister of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra, said, “In this 3-day trade fair organized by CMAI, exhibitors of branded clothing manufacturers from all over India have gathered to develop business for the next four months. Buyers and sellers from different states are here to do the business, and these three days are expected to generate a significant turnover.”

“Maharashtra has its own budget for the textile sector, and we are still in the process of planning it. We are awaiting additional supplementary demands, and new demands are also expected to arise in the future. A majority of these demands pertain to subsidies for the corporate and private sectors. We are also focusing on generating employment in regions like North Maharashtra, where suicide rates are high. To support this, we have provided additional incentives and subsidies in the energy sector, aiming to create jobs and set up factories in these areas,”

Speaking about the NGF 2025, Santosh Katariya, President, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) stated, “The domestic apparel industry continues to witness positive momentum, fueled by expanding retail networks and a rising demand for latest fashion collections. The continued support and proactive collaboration between brands and retailers have significantly strengthened the fair’s influence, making it a key driver for business growth and industry connections. The success of the fair stands as a testament to this upward trajectory, with exceptional business traction and substantial order volumes recorded. The positive feedback from exhibitors underscores the industry’s resilience and continued progress, setting the stage for a dynamic and prosperous season ahead.”

Speaking about the current outlook of the domestic apparel industry, Anand Chokshi, Joint Chairman, the National Garment Fair, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), said, “As we progress into 2025, the apparel industry is witnessing a significant shift in consumer demand. With brands continuing to expand their presence into tier-2 and tier-3 markets, there’s a marked uptick in demand compared to metro cities. This year, we see a growing trend towards conscious shopping, where quality, sustainability, and personalized experiences are taking center stage. These evolving preferences are reshaping the market and driving growth, positioning the apparel sector for a dynamic and transformative year ahead.”

Spanning approximately 700,000 sq. ft. at the Bombay Exhibition, the fair hosted 1220 brands presented by 1020 manufacturers across 1120 stalls. The diverse range of collections included Women’s wear, Men’s wear, Kids wear, and Accessories, highlighting the latest fashion trends and innovations for the upcoming Spring-Summer season.

Bhumil Veera, a representative of Avega, said, “We’ve been participating in NGF for seven years. The response and footfalls have been tremendously good. Especially considering it is summer, which is typically a slower season, the response has been outstanding. CMAI has done a great job, constantly presenting innovative concepts and encouraging both buyers and exhibitors. With festivals and weddings around the corner, we optimistically anticipate a strong market. Men’s wear is evolving rapidly, with trends changing as quickly as in women’s wear. We are constantly adapting to meet the demands of our customers.”

Gaurav Sithya, Director, of PRO Riders, another leading Men’s wear brand, said, “This is my eighth season in CMAI’s NGF, and the response has been excellent. Every time we come, we gain new customers and have the chance to reconnect with existing ones. The industry is becoming more competitive, and fast fashion will dominate this coming year. These trends are emerging in new fabrics, and the fashion cycle is moving fast. What’s in trend today may be replaced in a month or two. Big brands are introducing new collections every few months, and new brands entering the market must adapt or risk falling behind.”

Shalini, representative of Stil-O-Stitch, a Jaipur based women’s wear brand said, “This is our third year participating in CMAI and NGF, and while the response has been positive. However, we continue to see growth and engagement with buyers who have attend from pan India. Our focus in the apparel industry is on inclusivity, particularly with the launch of our plus-size collection. We aim to provide more variety for our customers, whether in prints, embroidery, or other styles they are comfortable with. We expect growth, especially with the increased footfall and positive response to our designs. In terms of trends, pastels are dominating the color palette, we see a shift towards boxy and easy regular fits. People are preferring more relaxed, casual fits over snug garments.”

Rushab, representative of Zola, a long-time Mumbai-based women’s wear brand, shared, “We’ve been participating in NGF since the inception of our company in 1996, and we’ve been a regular participant throughout the entire journey of NGF. We’ve always received a good response. Every time we come, our intention is to find new customers and reconnect with our old customers, and we do find new ones. Looking ahead to 2025, it’s going to be a very critical and difficult year to do business due to growing competition. Many new entrants are entering the market, and the e-commerce space is also becoming very competitive. It will be tough, but brands that bring new ideas and creativity will have an easier time penetrating the market. Consumer demand changes daily, and their perceptions and requirements evolve over time, but as a brand, we strive to meet their needs. When it comes to trends, India is a very highly diversified country with numerous cultures. One thing is clear, value products are in high demand right

now. Competition in the value product segment is going to increase significantly, as it’s completely price-driven.”

Jagdish Harwani, Director, of Little Bull Clothing Company, a Mumbai brand specializing in boys’ ethnic wear, said, “It’s been almost ten years that we have been participating in the NGF, and the response has been increasing each time. There are always new clients and retailers, and we always receive a positive response. The year started on a promising note, and we are hopeful that everything will continue well. Business should increase, and the wedding season was good in November and December, and we are hopeful it will continue. In the party wear section, everything is always positive, it’s always good. However, in the casual wear segment, there have been some sales challenges. But in party wear, there are no issues, whether it’s for boys or girls.”

Another exhibitor, Hemal Gandhi, from Evolve, a brand specializing in kids’ apparel, said, “This is our third year participating in the fair and the experience has been great so far. While 2025 started with some ups and downs, with a slight downtrend in the market and a dip in sales initially, we are seeing positive momentum now, especially in terms of bookings. The market is gradually recovering, and we are witnessing steady growth across different segments.”

Get a glimpse into the future of style with our spectacular new collection of lavish suits and magnificent ethnic wear that we showcased at CMAI National Garment Fair in Greater Noida.

Get a glimpse into the future of style with our spectacular new collection of lavish suits and magnificent ethnic wear that we showcased at CMAI National Garment Fair in Greater Noida.

Get a glimpse into the future of style with our spectacular new collection of lavish suits and magnificent ethnic wear that we showcased at CMAI National Garment Fair in Greater Noida.