SGCCI Welcomes Reopening of PLI Scheme for Textiles

Surat | Gujarat —- In a major boost for the textile sector, the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has welcomed the Union Textile Ministry’s decision to reopen the application window for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for textiles, allowing Man Made Fiber (MMF) manufacturers to apply until August 31.

SGCCI President Nikhil Madrasi said the decision came after persistent appeals from textile stakeholders and the chamber itself. “The reopening of the portal is a golden opportunity for our MMF manufacturers to strengthen competitiveness, drive innovation, and create more jobs,” he said.

The PLI scheme for textiles, announced in 2021 with a budget of ₹10,683 crore, is designed to make India’s textile industry globally competitive by promoting production of MMF apparel, fabrics, and technical textiles.

SGCCI Vice-President Ashok Jirawala and former president Vijay Mewawala noted that the announcement comes amid the 50% tariff announced by the US on certain textile imports. They stressed that MMF—comprising viscose, polyester, and acrylic—plays a critical role in global trade, while technical textiles are increasingly used in products like PPE kits, airbags, and bulletproof vests, and in industries such as aviation, defence, and infrastructure.

So far, the Centre has approved 80 applicants under the PLI scheme for textiles. For the current financial year, the government aims to disburse ₹500 crore in incentives.

According to the Textile Ministry, the scheme is expected to attract over ₹19,000 crore in fresh investments and create more than 7.5 lakh jobs over the next five years.

Madrasi added, “Surat, as the hub of MMF production in India, must capitalise on this reopening. With global trade challenges like the US tariff in play, domestic manufacturers need to diversify markets and upgrade technology.”

Industry experts believe the move will not only drive investments in modern machinery and R&D but also help India capture a larger share of the high-value textile export market.