The international trade landscape is currently defined by a strategic shift toward sustainability and modernized infrastructure. A major highlight is the Indian apparel sector’s resilience, which achieved a 1.6% growth in exports during the April-January period despite global headwinds, with significant gains in markets like Italy and Saudi Arabia. To further boost global competitiveness, the government is extending massive support under the ₹25,060 crore Export Promotion Mission, specifically funding up to 75% of the costs for MSMEs to obtain critical international certifications like Europe’s REACH and CBAM. Simultaneously, India’s maritime infrastructure is receiving a historic boost with the launch of ₹1,500 crore in projects at Tuticorin’s VOC Port, aimed at transforming it into a major transhipment hub through AI-driven operations and green hydrogen facilities.
These domestic advancements are complemented by a stabilizing outlook for the footwear and leather sectors, where effective duties in the US are now expected to settle in a more predictable 10-15% range following recent legal clarifications. Together, these developments, ranging from green energy initiatives in shipping to enhanced export credit access, signal a maturing maritime ecosystem focused on long-term growth and global integration.