Effects of rupee appreciation on textile industry

01 May '08

3 min read

The Textiles trade bodies and associations have represented that the appreciation of the rupee vis-à-vis US dollar during 2007, has adversely affected the exports of textiles and clothing from India.

However, trade statistics available for the period April-December, 2007 indicate that the overall exports at USD 14935.69 million in this period denotes an increase of 9.33% in US dollar terms, over the corresponding period of 2006-07, though in rupee terms, the exports at Rs.60351.09 crore represent a small decline of 2.9% over the corresponding period of 2006-07, due to the aforesaid weak position of the dollar.

As per estimates made by Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), for every export loss of rupee one crore, there would be a job loss of 34-35 workers. However, no physical quantification of actual job losses, on account of appreciation of the rupee, has been made by CITI.

The Government has announced several relief measures to support the textiles industry, which has been representing that textile exports have been affected by the appreciation of the value of rupee vis-a-vis the US Dollar.

These measures include the following:-
(i) DEPB rates enhanced by 3% for 9 sectors including textiles (also handlooms), RMGs and handicrafts. For other items, DEPB rates enhanced by 2%.

(ii) ECGC premium reduced by 10%.

(iii) Amount of Rs.600 crore released for clearing arrears of CST reimbursement and terminal excise duty.

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