The record slump in the Indian rupee might be giving nightmares to many but it has cheered readymade garment makers in Indore. The falling rupee has made Bangladesh apparels costlier. The turnaround in the currency exchange rate has helped Indore garment traders see a rise of 20 per cent in fresh orders in the last two month or so. 

Imported garments from Bangladesh are normally 10 per cent cheaper than local apparels. However, these import orders have turned expensive with the falling rupee. The rupee depreciation has stemmed the influx of imported garments. Instead domestic clients are turning to Indore garment manufacturers. 

The domestic trade had suffered by up to 30 per cent following the decision of making apparel imports from Bangladesh duty-free under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement. Subsequently, the central government allowed duty-free imports from Bangladesh in 2011. In the last two years, local manufacturers have witnessed a fall in demand by as much as 60 per cent following the invasion of Chinese and Bangladesh apparels.

Indore has a total of 1,800 garment units, with an annual turnover of Rs 350 crore. Directly and indirectly, the sector offers employment to more than five lakh persons.