India is all set to emerge as the largest hub for sourcing of apparel and knitwear garments in the next five years."With China showing more interest in engineering and IT sector and Bangladesh being looked at as a non-compliant country, global players,both in traditional and non-traditional markets are eyeing India's potential for outsourcing with great interest," says A Shaktivel, Chairman, AEPC.

He said India could emerge as the largest hub for sourcing of apparel and knitwear garments in another five years.Indeed, till now India has been at a cost disadvantage compared to Bangladesh, Vietnam and others, he said this year was better as non-compliance issues in Bangladesh have resulted in increased orders to India.

With this growing trend, apparel exports can easily cross the targeted 17 billion USD export this fiscal, he said, adding Tirupur, with an export turnover of between Rs 12,500-13,000 crores last year, did business of Rs 6,500 crores till August.

Shaktivel said AEPC delegations would visit Israel, Japan and Australia to strike deals with major buyers there.On availability of raw materials, like cotton yarn to meet the huge increasing requirements, he said there were no problem on that front though fluctuation in yarn price was a cause of concern. "Overall it would be a good period for the apparel sector from now," Shaktivel said.