As India expects its textile and apparel exports to touch USD 50 billion mark this fiscal from USD 38 billion in 2015-16. The Union Cabinet recently approved a Rs 6,000-crore package for the textiles sector with an aim to create one crore new jobs in three years and attract investments of USD 11 billion.

To further boost apparel exports, government has announced a ‘Special Advance Authorization’ scheme allowing duty-free import of fabric which will come into effect from September 1.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade in a notification said that the duty free import of fabric under the Special Advance Authorization Scheme for export of articles of apparel and clothing accessories shall be allowed in certain type of products.

Under the scheme, exporters are entitled for an authorization for fabrics including inter-lining on pre-import basis, and All Industry Rate of Duty Drawback for non-fabric inputs on the exports.

The authorization shall be issued for the import of relevant fabrics including inter lining only as input.