Andhra Pradesh IT and Skill Development Minister Nara Lokesh assured that all necessary steps will be taken to support Brandix India, which has been facing a severe crisis due to additional U.S. tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Lokesh said he would personally discuss the issue with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to find relief measures for the company.
Brandix India Director and Indian partner P.C. Doraswamy met Minister Lokesh in Amaravati and submitted a detailed representation explaining the current situation. He said that the apparel manufacturing industry across the country is struggling, and the steep tariffs have dealt a major blow to Brandix India — one of Andhra Pradesh’s largest and most prestigious textile manufacturing units.
The company, located in the SEZ zone, depends heavily on exports to the United States, accounting for nearly 80% of its production. Due to a shortage of work orders, the company has been forced to announce temporary leave for some employees, which Doraswamy said was deeply concerning. Minister Lokesh assured that the jobs of Brandix employees would remain safe and that the government would stand by them during this difficult phase.
“Brandix India is not just a major industrial unit but also a socially significant one,” Lokesh said, emphasizing its contribution to rural employment and women’s empowerment. The company has provided livelihood opportunities to around one lakh people so far, including over 20,000 rural youth and women. He reiterated that all possible steps would be taken, with central government support, to protect the company and its employees.
Doraswamy highlighted that with tariffs as high as 50%, Brandix’s survival in the competitive U.S. market has become almost impossible, threatening jobs and operations. He urged the minister to take up three key issues with the Union Government: imposing duties only on imported raw materials, allowing up to 49% domestic sales from SEZ units, reinstating 5% RoSCTL benefits for SEZs, and permitting SEZ units to subcontract to domestic manufacturers for smoother integration with the Indian market.
Minister Lokesh assured Doraswamy that he would urgently discuss these matters with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to ensure Brandix’s operations and jobs remain secure.