India Showcases Textile Strength at INDEX Dubai 2025

India Showcases Textile Strength at INDEX Dubai 2025

Why in the News?

India made a strong impression at INDEX Dubai 2025, a key interior design and furniture expo in the UAE and Dubai, with 55 companies participating to tap into the $25 billion MENA market. The event strengthens India’s export ties under the India-UAE CEPA, boosting India textile exports to the UAE market.

Strong Indian Presence at INDEX Dubai:

• India participated with 55 companies at INDEX Dubai 2025 from May 27–29 at the DWTC Dubai (Dubai World Trade Centre).
• The India Pavilion spanned 250 sq. meters, showcasing home textiles, bed linen, rugs, towels, and handicrafts along with decorative items, bathrobes, and kitchen linen.
• Key contributors included Texprocil (10 companies), EPCH (12 companies) under The Hotel Show, and Gram Vikas Seva Sansthan (11 companies).
• Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, inaugurated the pavilion and engaged with Indian exporters, highlighting the importance of client engagement in the Emirates Dubai market.

Export Gains and Market Potential

• The UAE’s interior design market is valued at $25 billion, projected to grow to $35 billion by 2031, presenting significant opportunities for India to UAE exports.
• The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), effective May 2022, ensures zero-duty market access for Indian textiles, boosting the RMG sector and overall textile and clothing imports by the UAE.
• Cotton textile exports to the UAE are worth $95–110 million annually; overall textile imports by UAE are $2.5 billion per year.
• The share of home textiles and other cotton textiles has increased to 40%, up from 20–25%, indicating growing UAE demand for Indian products.

Positive Reception and Future Prospects

• Indian products like duvets, pillows, and curtains attracted strong interest from GCC buyers (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Jordan), with particular attention to demand bed design and Indian parallel kitchen interior design.
• SMEs benefit from UAE hotels sourcing in small bundled orders, creating niche export opportunities for products like live linen and kitchen platform design in Indian style.
• INDEX 2025 featured 530+ exhibitors, 30,000+ visitors, and INDEX Design Talks highlighting AI integration, sustainable design, and redefining luxury trends in the industry.
• The event bolsters India’s footprint in MENA’s design sector, especially through hospitality and real estate demand, showcasing India highlights in the Dubai highlights of the expo.
• Organizations like the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council and initiatives such as the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks and Samarth scheme are playing crucial roles in promoting India textile exports and employment generation in the sector.