Exhibitors report strong business at Texpo

"Given the response the show has received so far, we are proud that Texpo has been successfully serving as the key transmit point of international technological developments for the Middle East's garment manufacturing industry," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah.

Exhibitors representing top international brands of garment machinery say they are expecting transactions worth millions of dirhams.

Mr. Shafaat Ali Khan, general manager, Al Borj Garment Machinery Trading Company, said: "We hope to strike deals worth at least Dhs 10 million directly or indirectly as a result of the discussions that we have had with potential buyers at Texpo."

Al Borj, a regular exhibitor, has brought five new brands -- Mecca, Houser, Wil Com, Mori International and Tenalco ­ to Texpo this year. The company is displaying a total of 20 brands of industrial garment manufacturing machines at the show.

"As expected, Al Borj is trying to give new life to the garment market by offering new technology and automation. We are helping our customers to reduce labour costs by introducing high technology in the manufacturing process," Mr. Shafaat Ali Khan added.

He said using high-tech machinery would help the local garment manufacturing industry in making a shift towards luxury and fashion items and value-added goods.

Star Sewing Machine Trading Company, another leading exhibitor, is also focussing on displaying new products.

"The main objective of exhibiting at Texpo is to allow our potential customers to look at the latest machines used in the industry. So far, the response has been good. Last hours of the show are very crucial for business," said managing director Aftab Hashim.

Looking at the buyer response, the company is hoping for sales of about Dhs 4 million.

Among the brands the company represents are: Toyota sewing machines, Lectra Systems, Rhein Nadel, Kingtex, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Unicorn, Rotondi and Osaka Iron.

Mr Amir Kanawati, sales manager of Oubari Gulf, said the company has received about 25 serious inquiries from potential buyers. Oubari is exhibiting five new brands in accessories at Texpo.

Typical International Corporation, a Chinese exhibitor, said it received 50 serious inquiries for its full range of industrial sewing machines.

"Texpo has helped our company in understanding the demand for our products in the Middle East garment manufacturing industry. Our sales target for this year is $1 million in Gulf countries," vice-president Chen Shan disclosed.

Ramit Pal Singh, sales territory manager (India and Middle East), for Maral Overseas Limited, said he was able to make useful contacts at Texpo.

"I have learned a lot about the Middle East garment and textile market by coming to Sharjah. This has been an excellent opportunity to make business contacts," Singh said.

Texpo represents a world of garment manufacturing technology; it features over 100 reputed international brands from 20 countries.

The show has on display the complete range of technology and products used by garment manufacturers, including 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.

Texpo opens from 11 am to 8 pm strictly for trade visitors, everyday until 19 February 2004.