After Britain’s referendum in favour of exit (Brexit) from the European Union (EU), the central government intends to begin negotiations with that country for signing a Preferential Treatment Agreement (PTA) for duty-free garment export.

Rashmi Verma, secretary, ministry of textiles, says Garment export from India to European countries attracts 9.6 per cent duty, making our shipments uncompetitive in comparison with Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. These countries have signed PTAs under which they export garments to the entire EU at nil duty. “This is the right time to ...