Tamil Nadu to Drive India's $100 Billion Textile Export Goal with $21 Billion Target by 2030

The Union government has set a target of $21 billion in textile and apparel exports from Tamil Nadu by 2030, as announced by T.N. Venkatesh, Principal Secretary of the Department of Handlooms, Textiles, Khadi, and Handicrafts, Tamil Nadu, during a meeting in Tiruppur on June 28, 2026.

This target is part of India's broader ambition to achieve $100 billion in textile and apparel exports by 2030. Tamil Nadu's contribution is expected to account for one-fifth of this national goal, with the Tiruppur cluster alone contributing nearly $11.5 billion. “This will be easy to achieve with the investments in research and development and free trade agreements,” Mr. Venkatesh said.

One of the key demands from the Tiruppur garment industry has been the provision of hostels for women workers. In response, the Tamil Nadu government has allocated ₹1,250 crore to construct 'Thozhi hostels' in industrial clusters. Hostels for women workers in Tiruppur will be built under this scheme. Additionally, a Centre of Excellence for athleisure (athletic wear) will be set up in Tiruppur.

Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh, addressing garment exporters at a meeting organised by the Tiruppur Exporters Association, noted that annual exports of textiles and apparel have reached the $44 billion mark only once since 1998. Currently, exports stand at $38 billion, with the target set at $100 billion by 2030.

India has a free trade agreement with Japan, but exports to Japan remain limited. Mr. Singh advised garment exporters to diversify at least 20% of their exports to new markets to achieve the ambitious target.