Uniqlo Partners with Government to Strengthen Cotton and Textile sector

Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh recently convened a significant meeting with senior officials from Uniqlo, facilitated by Invest India, to reinforce collaborative efforts in advancing India’s textile sector. This engagement builds on Uniqlo’s prior discussions with the Prime Minister, to transform India into a global hub for high-quality cotton and sustainable textile production. 

With an impressive 30% growth rate, Uniqlo has firmly established its presence in India, operating 15 stores and generating Rs 814 crore in retail revenue by March 2024. The brand’s partnerships with 18 sewing factories, 6 fabric mills, and 9 vendors underscore its commitment to quality, innovation, and local collaboration. Recognizing India’s position as the world’s largest cotton producer, cultivating over 11.9 million hectares, Uniqlo aims to contribute to productivity advancements through pilot projects, mirroring successful initiatives like Akola’s high-density quality seed usage, which achieves up to 1,500 kg/hectare yields.

The Ministry has committed to support Uniqlo’s expansion, including land allocation to scale these efforts, emphasizing the shared vision of positioning India as a global leader in cotton sourcing. To accelerate this growth, the Ministry invited Uniqlo to invest in the Prime Minister’s Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks, offering a state-of-the-art ecosystem with tailored infrastructure to support sustainable operations.

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

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

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.