Subin Mitra – CEO & Cofounder, Groyyo
The recent disruptions in Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector underscore the vulnerabilities inherent in concentrated global supply chains. Political unrest, catastrophic climate events, and energy crisis can bring entire factories to a halt, causing chunks of garment orders to be delayed or lost. This upheaval has sent international buyers scrambling for stable alternatives and robust, cost effective supply chains, with India emerging as a prime contender; Some green shoots towards the same are already visible with exporters in Tirupur witnessing a surge in order placements.
India’s proven strengths in cotton yarn exports and its expanding infrastructure, bolstered by initiatives like the PLI Scheme for textiles, position it uniquely to absorb this redirected demand. However, this is not merely a matter of opportunity but of responsibility. As global brands navigate supply chain uncertainties, India must demonstrate its ability to deliver both scalability and sustainability. The latter has become an area of critical focus for almost all brands globally – emphasizing on the need for sustainability on not just the shop-floor but also in terms of the raw material utilized in the manufacturing process.
The next decade will likely witness a recalibration of fashion supply chains, with India taking center stage with its stable geo-political reigns combined with Govt. support for manufacturing. For India, the task is clear – Invest aggressively in manufacturing infrastructure, sustainable practices, and workforce upskilling and cement its reputation as a reliable, innovative, and resilient manufacturing hub, ready to shoulder greater global responsibilities while fostering local growth.
