10th Texpo starts Sunday, 15th February at Expo Centre Sharjah

Speaking on the challenges faced by the regional garment manufacturing industry, Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Mosharrekh, Board Member of Expo Centre Sharjah said at a press conference organised on Wednesday, 11th February 2004, "The lifting of export quota restrictions in 2005 under the WTO's Agreement on Textile and Clothing poses numerous challenges for this region's garment manufacturers. One of the key areas they will need to focus on to improve their competitiveness is technology."

"By bringing together the leading brands in garment manufacturing technology from around the world," he continued, "the coming tenth edition of Texpo gives the regional industry an ideal opportunity to see first-hand the latest developments in machinery, equipment & fabrics and incorporate the same to their manufacturing facilities."

Speaking on the show's past success, Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah said, "Over the years, Texpo has positioned itself as the Middle East's key transmit point of international developments in technology and products for the region's garment manufacturing industry. A conclusive indicator of the show's success and effectiveness is its very high exhibitor retention rate, close to 90%."

Commenting on the exhibition's wider reach and influence, Mr. Khan said, "Considering the current shift in manufacturing activity towards countries like Jordan, Kenya, Sri Lanka, we have likewise extended our visitor promotion campaign to these countries to interest prospective buyers to visit our show. We have researched their needs for new technology and products, and tried to tailor the show to also satisfy them. Given the above factors, we are confident to have a much higher visitor attendance from trade buyers, industrialists and professionals than our previous editions," he pointed out.

Speaking on the prospects of UAE's garment industry in the changing scenario, Mr. Khan said, "Even as the manufacturing trend may shift to cost-competitive China, India and African region, UAE will still remain as the sourcing and marketing hub of the industry. Also, in the long run, industry players in the UAE would be better off concentrating on high-end and quality apparel on a larger scale, aimed at the western market," he said.

Texpo represents a world of garment manufacturing technology. It will feature over 100 reputed international brands from 20 countries. These include Doory - Korea; Barudan ­ Japan; Groz-Beckert ­ Germany; Juki ­ Japan; Mecca- Italy; Gerber ­ Germany; Lonati - Italy; Santoni ­ Italy; Silver Star ­ Korea; Siruba - Taiwan; Sunstar ­ Korea; Su Lee- Taiwan; Stoll ­ Germany; SWF ­ Korea; Ugolini SRL; Open Data ­ Italy; Oshima ­ Taiwan; Hirose Hooks - Japan; Exacta ­ Italy; Corghi ­ Italy; Macpi ­ Italy; Mentasti ­ Italy; Investronica ­ Spain; CF ­ Italy; SilverStar ­ Korea; KM ­ Japan; Flying Tiger - Taiwan; Maier Unitas Gmbh ­ Germany; De Sales Trading - USA; Ramsons Garment Equipment ­ India; Veit ­ Germany; Stirovap - Italy; Gfk Laser-Spain; Macpy-Italy; Kinder-UK; Jeans Care ­ UK; Presto - India; Oshima - Taiwan; Osaka Denki Kogyo; Tajima Industries Ltd. - Japan; Thermotron - Greece; Toyota ­ Japan; Rhein Needles ­ Germany; Kingtex - Taiwan; Lectra ­ France; VI. BE.MAC - Italy; Rotondi ­ Italy; Yamato ­ Japan; Durkopp Adler ­ Germany; Mitsubishi ­ Japan; Smart MRT - Singapore; S-Tech ­ Korea; Swarovski - Middleast; Taiwan Taffeta Fabric ­ Taiwan; Typical Sewing Machine ­ China; Meyer KG ­ Munich Germany; Kaulin Manufacturing ­ Taiwan; G.M. PFAFF AG ­ Germany; CF Italy; JAM Automatic Machines; Ferd Schmetz GMBH ­ Germany; Eastman Machine Company ­ USA; CERLANI - Italy; LASTAR - Korea; Brother Industries ­ Japan; Assyst/Bullmer SpezialMaschinen ­ Germany; and Vision Tech ­ Korea.

Companies at the exhibition will be displaying industrial & domestic sewing machines, knitting and hosiery machinery and accessories for the making up industry, pressing machines, industrial irons, ironing tables etc., embroidery machines, laboratory dyeing machinery, quality testing and measuring equipment, accessories, including machinery components, fasteners, threads, machine needles, raschel elastics, zippers, dyes & chemicals, tapes & ribbons, enzymes, softeners etc., yarns and fabrics, home textiles and more.

The show will be open everyday from 15 to 19 February 2004 from 11 am to 8 pm strictly for trade.