BTTF and Première Vision Sign Strategic MoU to Strengthen India-France Textile Ties
The Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Première Vision SA have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen India-France cooperation across textiles, fashion, sourcing, sustainability and heritage.
The agreement was signed on September 2, 2026, during the Première Vision exhibition in Paris. It establishes a multi-year institutional partnership aimed at strengthening India’s engagement with the global fashion and textile ecosystem.
The MoU was signed by Dr. A. Sakthivel, Core Committee Member, BTTF and Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), and Florence Rousson, CEO – Fashion Division, Première Vision SA.
The signing ceremony was attended by Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), along with industry leaders, designers, Export Promotion Council officials, Indian Embassy representatives and BTTF leadership.
The partnership follows a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed on July 14, 2026, at Bharat Tex 2026 in New Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh. The latest agreement converts that initial understanding into a longer-term framework for cooperation.
Connecting Indian Textiles with Global Fashion Markets
The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for Indian textile manufacturers, exporters, designers and artisans to engage with international buyers, fashion houses and premium sourcing networks.
A key objective is to help Indian businesses move beyond volume-driven exports and expand into higher-value, design-led and premium segments.
Through Première Vision’s international fashion and trend platforms, Indian companies will gain greater exposure to global market trends and buyers looking for sustainable, innovative and high-quality textile products.
The collaboration will also support greater integration of Indian textile capabilities into international fashion and sourcing networks.
India-EU Trade Momentum Creates New Opportunities
The MoU comes amid growing trade opportunities between India and the European Union.
The conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January 2026 has created expectations of improved market access for Indian exporters. The agreement covers 96.8% of tariff lines, representing 99.5% of India’s exports, with 90.7% of exports by trade value expected to become duty-free once the agreement comes into force.
For the textile and apparel sector, improved access to the European market could provide significant opportunities across garments, textiles, yarns and home textiles.
The partnership with Première Vision is therefore expected to complement these trade developments by connecting Indian suppliers with European and international buyers across premium and fashion-focused segments.
Focus on Sustainability and Heritage
Sustainability will be another important area of cooperation under the MoU.
BTTF and Première Vision will work together to promote circularity, traceability and responsible production, while supporting sustainability-focused initiatives at their respective events.
The agreement also places emphasis on India’s rich textile heritage and craftsmanship.
As part of the collaboration, the organisations plan to establish an “Eternal Crafts Collaboration” to showcase Indian and French textile traditions to the international luxury and creative fashion community.
The initiative will include “A Living Thread”, scheduled for January 2027, featuring Indian artisans and French ateliers and highlighting hand embroidery, handloom and other traditional textile techniques.
Reciprocal Participation and Market Linkages
The MoU provides for cooperation between the two organisations through reciprocal participation in trade shows, delegation programmes and knowledge-sharing sessions.
The collaboration will include:
- Participation of exhibitors, delegations, speakers and industry experts at both organisations’ events
- Joint export promotion programmes
- Buyer-seller and reverse buyer-seller meets
- Exchange of market intelligence
- Cooperation on sustainability initiatives
- Promotion of Indian and French textile heritage
- Greater connections between manufacturers, designers, buyers and sourcing networks
A Joint Steering Committee will oversee the implementation of the partnership.
Industry Leaders Highlight Strategic Importance
Speaking at the signing, Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, said the partnership with Première Vision would create opportunities to showcase India’s luxury textiles and heritage to Europe and global markets while benefiting artisans, weavers, designers, women entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
Dr. A. Sakthivel, Core Committee Member of BTTF, said the partnership would strengthen connections between Indian textiles and global markets while highlighting India’s heritage and sustainability capabilities.
Florence Rousson, CEO of Première Vision’s Fashion Division, said the partnership would promote creativity, innovation and responsible sourcing while creating opportunities for stakeholders across the Indian and French textile value chains.
Strengthening India’s Position in Premium Textiles
The BTTF-Première Vision partnership brings together India’s manufacturing scale, diverse textile ecosystem and traditional craftsmanship with Première Vision’s global network in fashion, sourcing and premium textiles.
The collaboration is expected to help Indian textile and apparel companies access higher-value international markets, strengthen their global visibility and respond more effectively to evolving fashion and sustainability requirements.
With greater emphasis on premium sourcing, sustainable production, design and heritage, the MoU marks another step towards positioning India as a competitive, innovative and responsible sourcing destination for the global fashion industry.