CMAI re-elects Santosh Katariya as President for consecutive term

Santosh Katariya has been re-elected as President of the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) for a second consecutive term. Confirming the development in a statement shared on Facebook, Katariya thanked committee members, office bearers, and industry peers for reaffirming their trust. Highlighting his roadmap for the apex trade body, Katariya wrote: "The past two years have been an enriching journey of learning, teamwork, and progress. As we begin this new term, I look forward to working with renewed energy and commitment, along with my entire team, to take CMAI to greater heights and create greater value for our members and the Indian apparel industry."

Policy Advocacy and manufacturing competitiveness

Katariya’s continued leadership comes as apparel manufacturers balance rising input expenses against price resistance across consumer retail markets. Small and medium enterprises, which form over 85 percent of India's readymade garment base, face tight operational liquidity, extended payment cycles, and margin volatility. Under Katariya, the association is prioritizing targeted policy dialogue with the central government, advocating for a dedicated domestic Production Linked Incentive framework, protection for MSME suppliers within commercial insolvency proceedings, and rationalized GST rate structures to safeguard organized trade flows against informal market substitution.

CMAI’s Institutional Growth: As industry anchor

Established over six decades ago in Mumbai, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India functions as the country's primary institutional bridge across apparel design, production, and retail distribution. The association serves ready-to-wear manufacturers, garment exporters, regional trade bodies, and national department chains, providing market research, business mediation, and large-scale B2B sourcing trade fairs. Over the current operational cycle, CMAI aims to expand its active membership base toward 7,000 enterprises while scaling technical training, domestic market access, and ESG compliance frameworks across regional textile clusters.