South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry has raised a firm appeal before the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries to revoke the Quality Control Order (QCO) on textile machinery. The chamber’s representatives met Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and ministry officials in New Delhi, expressing deep concern over the possible disruption this regulation could bring to the region’s thriving textile industry.

According to the chamber, India’s textile market currently valued at USD 165 billion is poised to touch USD 350 billion by 2030. This growth depends heavily on access to approximately 4.5 lakh high-speed weaving machines, representing a machinery investment worth nearly USD 15 billion. However, many of these advanced machines, particularly for embroidery work, are not manufactured in the country and must be sourced internationally.

Ashok Jirawala, Vice-President-elect of SGCCI, highlighted that embroidery units operate with multiple machines that need replacement every two to three years due to rapid technological advancements. He stressed that applying QCO restrictions on such imports could lead to significant financial setbacks, especially for entrepreneurs who have already committed to machinery orders through letters of credit.

With the QCO deadline set for August 28, 2025, the chamber warned that any delayed shipments could face payment hurdles and customs complications, leading to frozen capital and banking delays for new textile investments.

SGCCI has called for immediate reconsideration of the QCO policy, urging the government to include feedback from user industries to ensure regulations align with practical industry needs.