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CMAI re-elects Santosh Katariya as president for a second term, with MSME apparel competitiveness as the stated focus
CMAI re-elected Santosh Katariya as president for a second consecutive term, keeping its core team in a body of more than 7,000 members. The association says it will focus on apparel competitiveness, particularly for MSMEs.
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Who and when
Figures from IMAGES Business of Fashion
| Retailers reached by CMAI: | over 50,000 |
|---|---|
| CMAI age: | over 63 years |
| SU.RE sustainability initiative launch year: | 2019 |
| AEPC creation year: | 1978 |
Why the change matters
With CMAI keeping Santosh Katariya and its core team for a second term, expect continuity in an advocacy agenda aimed at MSME apparel competitiveness, so retailers and brands sourcing from small Indian manufacturers should not plan around a policy reset but can use the body's reach of 50,000+ retailers to raise sourcing and cost concerns.
What to watch next
- A formal CMAI memorandum or meeting with ministries that names specific MSME apparel asks
- Any announced CMAI programme, such as a skilling, finance or technology scheme, aimed at small manufacturers
- Government notices or policy changes that echo CMAI's competitiveness demands
- Changes in CMAI membership or retailer-outreach figures against the 7,000+ and 50,000+ claims
- Statements from rival trade bodies on MSME apparel policy
Likely next moves
Our read of what comes next — analysis, not reported by the source.
- CMAI is likely to frame its second-term agenda around MSME apparel competitiveness in upcoming public statements and trade forums.
- Expect CMAI to lean on its 7,000+ member base and its stated reach to over 50,000 retailers when it presents itself as the industry's voice to policymakers.
- CMAI leadership may use the retained core team to move quickly on pending representations to government instead of reorganising.
- Government and trade officials may treat CMAI as a standing consultation partner on apparel policy, though this is a modest change from before.
- Rival and sister industry bodies may stress their own MSME and exporter agendas to stay visible next to a continuity-led CMAI.
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