India, Saudi Arabia identify ready-made garment, technical textiles, man-made fibres as key areas for collaboration

New Delhi: India and Saudi Arabia Tuesday discussed strategies to expand production capacities and market reach through collaborative efforts in textile manufacturing and trade, the textiles ministry said in a statement. They also identified ready made garments, technical textiles, man-made fibres, carpet, handloom, and handicrafts as key areas for collaboration.

The issues were discussed in a meeting between Khalil ibn Salamah, Saudi Arabia’s vice minister of industry and mineral resources with textile secretary Neelam Shami Rao. India was the second-largest supplier ($517.5 million) to Saudi Arabia’s textile and apparel sector, capturing an 11.2% share of Riyadh’s total textile and apparel imports in 2024.

“Discussions also emphasized the importance of promoting sustainability across traditional sectors such as handloom, handicrafts, and carpets. These sectors not only represent India’s rich cultural and artisanal heritage but also resonate with global consumer preferences for eco-friendly and ethically produced goods,” the ministry said.


The dialogue highlighted significant opportunities for Saudi investment in India’s Ready-Made Garments sector—a key area for employment generation and exports. With a shared vision for mutual growth, both parties discussed strategies to expand production capacities and market reach through collaborative efforts in textile manufacturing and trade.

A key highlight of the meeting was the mutual recognition of Saudi Arabia’s strength in petrochemical-based industries and India’s expanding capabilities in Man-Made Fibre and Technical Textiles. These segments are poised to become pillars of bilateral trade, offering opportunities to leverage synergies in raw material sourcing, technology exchange, and product development.