New Delhi, May 28 (KNN) Indian Texpreneurs Federation (ITF) has appealed to all brands and retail chains operating in India instead of importing, source their requirements from within the country.

ITF’s appeal comes in the wake of a huge jump in import of readymade garments from Bangladesh.

Prabhu Dhamodharan, ITF Convenor said that 53 per cent increase in Bangladesh’s overall exports to India between July, 2018 and April, 2019 is disheartening. While the government is making best possible efforts to promote ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’ and incentivizing job creation, western retailers having outlets in India and Indian local brands seem to be sourcing their goods from Bangladesh.

He added that Indian textile clusters can serve better, source the needs of both western and Indian brands both in terms of quality and competitive pricing.

The products sourced from within were far better than those sourced from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or Indonesia, he added.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data has revealed that Bangladesh exports touched a high of $1.07 billion between July and April of 2018-19 fiscal compared to $701.56 million earned during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

Retailers and brands should explore possibilities to partner with garmenting hubs in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Karur, Erode, Surat and Ludhiana, among others, and focus on local sourcing, he said.