Textile Show to address post-quota challenges

The exhibition, which will be held from September 12 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah, will help address the challenges posed by the changing scenario where manufacturing activity will gradually shift to cost-competitive China, India and some Middle Eastern and African countries.

The show, which has registered a 30 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors over its past edition, will serve as the right platform to gauge the changing needs of the industry and pave the way for a smooth transition to a post-quota regime.

"In the new scenario, technology will have the upper hand. Companies are investing millions of dollars in technology to improve quality and specialise in niche products to beat off the competition from Chinese manufacturers," said Mr Fasahat Ali Khan, Acting Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah.

By brining together leading brands in garment manufacturing technology from around the world, "the show will give the regional industry an ideal opportunity to see and acquire the latest developments in machinery, equipment and fabrics," he said.

"Quota or no quota, the fact is that the UAE will remain the sourcing and marketing hub of the industry. With our strategic location, world-class facilities, industry-friendly laws and initiatives like the Dubai Textile City, the UAE will, in the long run, be a textile trade hub, a leading player in high-end & quality apparel and a conduit for technology transfers," Mr Khan observed.

Free trade agreements have also thrown open new markets and possibilities for the regional countries. "Most countries in the region are supporting their textile as well as other sectors to tap the numerous business opportunities that have/are likely to come up in the wake of a new era of free trade," Mr Khan pointed out.

Keeping in mind the requirements of the regional industry, the show will display industrial & domestic sewing machines, knitting and hosiery machinery, pressing machines, industrial irons, ironing tables, embroidery machines, laboratory dyeing machinery, quality testing and measuring equipment, machinery components, fasteners, threads, machine needles, raschel elastics, zippers, dyes & chemicals, tapes & ribbons, enzymes, softeners, yarns and fabrics, home textiles and more.

"We are looking at ways to add new features to the exhibition to make it more attractive to the textile industry players. Texpo 2005 will not only focus on machines and textile technology but also feature new segments like fabrics, accessories and readymade garments," added Mr Khan.

New countries displaying at Texpo include Turkey, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and China. The previous edition of Texpo featured over 100 reputed international brands from 20 countries and generated business worth US$12 million. It attracted a total of 3,110 trade visitors of which 1,541 came from GCC countries.

Some of the major highlights of the exhibition will be product presentations by exhibitors and fashion shows that will be held on the sidelines.