In a significant development aimed at strengthening cotton trade relations between India and Australia, the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL), in coordination with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) as part of the Australian Consulate General in Mumbai recently, hosted a high-level delegation from the Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) at its Head Office.
The Australian delegation comprised Cliff White, Chairman, ACSA; Jules Willis, CEO, ACSA; Shay Dhabrelia, Director of Trade, ECOM; Joel Hatherell, Supply Chain Manager, Queensland Cotton; and Theodare Immanueal, Director, Austrade. They were warmly welcomed by TEXPROCIL Chairman Vijay Agarwal, Executive Director Dr. Siddhartha Rajagopal, Past Chairman Manoj Patodia, CoA Member Arun Todi, and representatives from Indo Count Industries Ltd., Gimatex Industries Pvt. Ltd., and Lahoti Overseas.
Chairman Vijay Agarwal extended a warm welcome to the delegates, while Dr. Siddhartha Rajagopal made a detailed presentation on TEXPROCIL’s role and initiatives. He highlighted the Council’s focus on traceability through platforms like Kasturi Cotton Bharat (KCB) and the General Certificate of Conformity (GCC). These platforms, particularly KCB, which offers farm-level traceability via QR codes, received appreciation from the visiting delegates.
Discussions during the meeting touched upon several key issues, including rising imports of Australian cotton into India following the signing of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which allows duty-free access for up to 51,000 tonnes of Australian cotton annually. Delegates also discussed challenges such as long transit times and the potential establishment of an Australian cotton warehouse in India to streamline logistics.
In a milestone move during the visit, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) and ACSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance bilateral cooperation. The agreement, signed by CAI President Atul Ganatra and ACSA Chairman Cliff White, aims to deepen trade ties and foster the exchange of vital industry information on cotton production, trade trends, pricing, and market outlooks.
The MoU signing event was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including Indian farmers, ginners, brokers, and representatives from Ecom Commodities, Olam Agri, and Austrade. Speaking at the event, CAI President Atul Ganatra emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between the two nations’ cotton industries. ACSA Chair Cliff White provided a comprehensive overview of Australia’s cotton industry, highlighting sustainable production practices and export trends.
This strategic partnership through the MoU is poised to boost bilateral trade, improve market access, and reinforce the global standing of both India and Australia in the cotton sector. Industry stakeholders from both sides have welcomed the initiative as a step forward in building a sustainable and mutually beneficial cotton trade relationship.
