ES. You have a rich background in the textile industry. Could you share the key milestones that led you to your current role as Executive Director of PDEXCIL?
Mahesh N. Sanil. My journey in the textile sector spans over 35 years, beginning with hands-on experience across spinning, weaving, and garment manufacturing and exports and imports. Early roles involved managing integrated textile units, which gave me in-depth operational and supply chain expertise. Over time, I increasingly engaged with trade promotion councils and export development, which aligned with my passion for expanding India’s textile footprint globally. Key milestones include leading advocacy initiatives for powerloom sectors, pioneering industry-government collaborations, and steering strategic development and export promotion programs for weavers and exporters These cumulative experiences paved the way to my leadership role as Executive Director of PDEXCIL, where I now drive export facilitation and industry growth at a national level.
ES. With the Indian powerloom sector employing approximately 7 million workers, how does PDEXCIL plan to enhance their livelihoods while promoting sustainable practices?
Mahesh N. Sanil. The powerloom sector is the backbone of India’s textile sector. PDEXCIL’s approach is twofold: sustainably scaling income opportunities while embedding eco-friendly processes development and export growth. We focus on skill development programs through “Samarth” to upgrade worker capabilities, improving product quality and market competitiveness. Simultaneously, we champion sustainable practices like organic fibers, water-efficient dyeing, and waste minimization to reduce environmental impact. Collaboration with government schemes and NGOs ensures worker welfare and social security alongside fostering green textiles. Our goal is to empower communities economically while aligning with global sustainability standards, benefiting both livelihoods and the planet and powerloom sector.
ES. Can you discuss any challenges faced in penetrating new markets and how PDEXCIL addresses them?
Mahesh N. Sanil. India’s textile exports face challenges such as high tariff barriers, regulatory complexities, and competition from low-cost producers. PDEXCIL addresses these by actively negotiating market access through government-backed trade agreements and facilitating compliance with international quality and sustainability standards.
We also leverage technology-driven market intelligence to identify emerging demand segments and tailor export strategies. Capacity-building for exporters on branding, design, and digital marketing enhances their global appeal. By fostering buyer-seller connect platforms and participating in major international trade events, PDEXCIL mitigates barriers and opens doors to diversified markets.
ES. What emerging trends do you foresee in the global textile industry, and how is PDEXCIL preparing Indian exporters to capitalize on these opportunities?
Mahesh N. Sanil. The global textile industry is rapidly evolving, driven by digitization, sustainable and ethical products, smart textiles, circular economy models, and localized production. PDEXCIL is preparing Indian exporters through trend awareness, innovation adoption, technology collaborations, and capacity-building in sustainable certifications and product diversification.
