Uniqlo Joins Government to Boost Cotton and Textile Sector

Uniqlo, which has achieved an impressive 30 per cent growth rate, has firmly established its presence in India, operating 15 stores and generating Rs 8.14 billion in retail revenue by March 2024.

Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh recently convened a significant meeting with senior officials from Uniqlo, facilitated by Invest India, to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at advancing India’s textile sector. This engagement builds upon Uniqlo’s previous discussions with the Prime Minister, with the goal of transforming India into a global hub for high-quality cotton and sustainable textile production.

Uniqlo, which has achieved an impressive 30 per cent growth rate, has firmly established its presence in India, operating 15 stores and generating Rs 8.14 billion in retail revenue by March 2024. The brand’s partnerships with 18 sewing factories, 6 fabric mills, and 9 vendors demonstrate its commitment to quality, innovation, and local collaboration. Acknowledging India as the world’s largest cotton producer, with over 11.9 million hectares under cultivation, Uniqlo intends to contribute to productivity advancements through pilot projects, such as those in Akola, where high-density quality seed usage has resulted in yields of up to 1,500 kg/hectare.

The Ministry has expressed its commitment to supporting Uniqlo’s expansion, including facilitating land allocation to scale these efforts, and emphasised the shared vision of positioning India as a global leader in cotton sourcing. To accelerate this growth, the Ministry extended an invitation to Uniqlo to invest in the Prime Minister’s Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks, which offer a state-of-the-art ecosystem with customised infrastructure designed to support sustainable operations.

Uniqlo’s participation in the “Bharat Tex” Global Textile Expo in February is expected to further underscore its commitment to fostering sustainability, innovation, and traceability in India’s textile sector. The Ministry also encouraged Uniqlo to explore new natural fibres, such as milkweed, in line with India’s broader sustainability goals.

This partnership is set to enhance India’s textile value chain, empower women in the workforce, and elevate the country’s global standing in the textile industry.

With a shared focus on innovation and sustainability, the collaboration between Uniqlo and the Indian government marks a pivotal step toward achieving the nation’s textile growth targets and strengthening its role as a global industry leader.