Apparel-August 2020 | Page 40

Industry Insights Domestic Garment Industry faces Economic Meltdown due to Covid-19 CMAI attempted to Survey the Eonomic Impact that the Pandemic has had on its Members. Mr Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, issued a Press Release on March 31, 2020, talking of the analysis… Deeply concerned by the economic impact caused by the lockdown in the country due to COVID-19, CMAI conducted a Survey amongst its members to better understand how they were dealing with the current circumstances and what their prediction for the post lockdown period was. An analysis of the first 1500 responses, has indicated that a significant crisis has been brewing in the Domestic Garment Industry. Only a comprehensive support package from the Government can cushion a potential collapse of the Industry. While several important measures have been announced by the Government, it is clear that the Industry, especially its MSME members which constitute 90 per cent of the industry, need more support. Wage subsidy and Working Capital support for the long working capital cycle is the need of the hour. Highlights of the Survey • 20 per cent of the respondents closed their business after lockdown. • 59 per cent are expecting a revenue drop of more than 40 per cent and 29 per cent between 20 – 40 per cent. • 81 per cent have received cancellation of orders from their buyers. • 80 per cent believe they will not be able to sustain the current work force without government support. • 98 per cent are expecting their payments to be delayed. • 43 per cent expect their inventory to increase by more than 40 per cent and about 47 per cent expect an increase between 20 - 40 per cent. 38 I APPAREL I August 2020