In a major push to deepen bilateral ties, the Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) wrapped up a high-impact delegation visit to India last week, forging new connections and signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cotton Association of India (CAI).
From the textile powerhouse of Coimbatore to the trade capital of Mumbai, the ACSA delegation – led by Chair Cliff White and CEO Jules Willis – met with key stakeholders in India’s cotton and textile sectors through packed schedules of roundtables, seminars, and site visits.
In Coimbatore, Austrade facilitated a significant roundtable with the Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA), Indian Cotton Federation (ICF), and major agents, buyers, and spinning mills – marking a robust start to the visit.
The momentum continued in Mumbai with two major engagements:
- A roundtable with TEXPROCIL (The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council), the international face of India’s cotton textile exports, and
- A seminar hosted by CAI, where both countries explored future opportunities in the cotton trade.
A highlight of the trip was the signing of an MoU between ACSA and CAI during a reception at the iconic Cricket Club of India. The agreement aims to:
- Enhance the sharing of market intelligence and production trends
- Collaborate on global pricing and forecasts
- Improve market access and push for greater tariff-free quotas
- Promote reciprocal trade support across the two markets
The MoU comes on the back of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), which came into effect in December 2022 and allows duty-free access for 51,000 tonnes of Australian cotton into India annually.
At the seminar, CAI President Atul S Ganatra welcomed the delegates and highlighted the need for stronger trade partnerships underpinned by AI-ECTA. ACSA Chair White’s presentation on the Australian cotton landscape spurred a lively Q&A session, with Indian farmers, ginners, and brokers engaging in discussions about future opportunities.
The visit also included a tour of Mumbai’s historic 100-year-old Cotton Exchange building and concluded with a networking reception, solidifying Australia and India’s shared commitment to sustainable cotton supply chains, mutual growth, and long-term trade collaboration.
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