The Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Première Vision SA, an international platform for creative fashion, textiles and sourcing, signed the MoU on 2nd September 2026 at the Première Vision exhibition in Paris.
The agreement was signed by Dr. A. Sakthivel, Core Committee Member, BTTF and Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), and Ms. Florence Rousson, CEO – Fashion Division, Première Vision SA.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms). Prominent industry representatives from India, leading designers, EPC officials, Indian Embassy officials and BTTF leadership also witnessed the occasion.
The MoU follows the Letter of Intent (LoI) signed on 14th July 2026 at Bharat Tex 2026 in New Delhi, in the presence of the Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles. The latest agreement seeks to translate that initial understanding into sustained cooperation across trade, sourcing, design, sustainability and heritage.
Connecting Indian Textiles with Global Fashion Markets
Première Vision has served as an international benchmark for the fashion industry for more than five decades. The partnership is intended to provide Indian textile manufacturers, exporters, designers and artisans with greater opportunities to connect with international buyers, fashion houses and premium sourcing networks.
A key objective is to support India’s transition from volume-driven exports toward high-value, design-led and premium market segments. Première Vision’s trend intelligence platforms are expected to assist Indian enterprises in aligning with global market requirements and developing relationships with buyers seeking sustainable and high-quality sourcing solutions.
India-EU Trade Momentum Creates Market Opportunities
The partnership comes following the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January 2026. The agreement provided preferential market access on 96.8% of tariff lines covering 99.5% of India’s exports, with 90.7% of exports by trade value expected to become duty-free upon coming into force.
The European Union’s global textile and apparel imports were approximately US$292.8 billion in 2025, while India’s textile and apparel exports to the EU are currently around US$10.4 billion.
The proposed zero-duty access across textile and clothing tariff lines under the India-EU FTA is expected to create opportunities for Indian exporters of garments, textiles, yarns and home textiles, while supporting India’s competitiveness in the European market.
Industry Leaders Comment on the Partnership
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, stated:
“Bharat Tex, envisioned under the 5F Vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has emerged as the world’s largest integrated textiles event, with a strong focus on trade, sustainability and investment. This partnership with Première Vision is a natural progression, creating new opportunities to showcase India’s luxury textiles and rich heritage to Europe and the world, while benefiting artisans, weavers, designers, women entrepreneurs and MSMEs across the country.”
Dr. A. Sakthivel, Core Committee Member of BTTF, stated:
“This partnership with Première Vision will connect Indian textiles more closely with global markets while showcasing our rich heritage and advancing sustainability, reinforcing India’s position as a competitive and responsible textile hub.”
Ms. Florence Rousson, CEO of Première Vision’s Fashion Division, added:
“We are delighted to partner with BTTF to foster creativity, innovation and responsible sourcing, while creating new opportunities for Indian and French stakeholders across the textile value chain.”
Key Areas of Collaboration
The MoU will be overseen by a Joint Steering Committee, with both organisations collaborating across several areas:
Delegation & Knowledge Session: Reciprocal participation of exhibitors, delegations, speakers and experts across both trade shows, supported by joint export promotion and buyer-seller meets.
Export Promotion & Market Linkages: Joint export promotion initiatives to improve market access, including buyer-seller meets and reverse buyer-seller meets, exchange of market intelligence and cooperation benefiting both organisations.
Sustainability: Promotion of circularity, traceability and responsible production, along with cooperation on sustainability initiatives at their respective events.
Heritage & Craftsmanship: Establishment of an Eternal Crafts Collaboration to showcase Indian and French heritage and textiles to the international luxury and creative fashion community. The collaboration will include “A Living Thread”, showcasing in January 2027, representing artisans and ateliers and featuring Indian hand embroidery, handloom and allied heritage techniques together with French textile heritage.
The partnership brings together India’s manufacturing capabilities, diverse textile ecosystem and craft traditions with Première Vision’s international fashion and sourcing network covering premium and luxury segments. The collaboration is aimed at supporting Indian enterprises in accessing higher-value international markets and strengthening India’s position as a sustainable, innovative and high-value sourcing destination for the global fashion industry.