The Indian government has announced a five-month duty exemption on all cotton imports, effective from June 1 to October 31, 2023. This initiative aims to stabilize cotton prices and support the domestic garment and textiles industry, which has faced challenges due to rising costs. The finance ministry stated that the exemption is expected to lower input costs across the textile sector, benefiting manufacturers and consumers while considering the interests of domestic farmers. The textile ministry emphasized that this measure will ensure adequate cotton availability during the off-season, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Indian textiles, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Industry representatives, including the Apparel Export Promotion Council, expressed relief, noting that this timely intervention would help retain export competitiveness in cotton-based products. The Confederation of Indian Textiles Industry pointed out that the previous 11% import duty was a significant hurdle, especially as competitors in Asia had duty-free access to cotton.