Automation key to reviving competitive edge in the UAE garment manufacturing industry

A wide range of equipment, machinery, and technology, primarily aimed at boosting the automation process in the UAE garment manufacturing and textile industry, will be the major focus of the twelfth edition of Texpo at Expo Centre Sharjah from September 18-21, 2006.

The UAE garment manufacturing and textile industry is currently grappling with intense competition from manufacturers in India and China, where the cost of production and raw material is substantially lower.

High labour costs, over dependence on exports, and problems in sourcing raw material at competitive prices are some of the obstacles currently faced by the UAE garment manufacturing and textile industry.

The UAE currently exports garments worth around USD $ 0.1 billion. However, this is significantly lower than the USD $ 250 million that the industry had exported in 1997 when it was at its peak.

Both India and China, on the other hand, have been experiencing a rise in their garment exports since the dismantling of the textile quotas in 2005. In 2004-05, India's total textile exports reached USD $ 13 billion. Of this, garment exports accounted for USD $ 6 billion. By 2010, it is expected to cross USD $ 50 billion.

China's total garment exports added up to USD $ 61.6 billion in 2004, up 19% from 2003. In the first two months of 2005, its total export of garments reached over USD $ 9 billion, an increase of over 28% year-on-year. By 2008, China's garment exports are expected to reach USD $ 124 billion.

"Automation is key to reviving the competitive edge that the UAE garment manufacturing and textile industry used to enjoy till recently," said Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

"In order to compete with countries like India and China, the textile and garment manufacturing industry in the UAE needs to adopt equipment and technology that will lower production cost while enhancing the product quality at the same time. Besides, the focus needs to be on specialized niche products. The coming edition of Texpo will exclusively highlight a very diverse but effective range of machinery, technology, accessories, and solutions that will help the industry achieve this objective," he added.

Displays at the coming edition of Texpo will include garment machinery, design/styling/textile dyeing and finishing equipment, industrial sewing machines, cutting machinery, inspection and testing equipment for the garments and textile industry, press machines including steam irons, micro steam generators and components, accessories including trimmings, tailoring items, plastic and metal zippers, laces and buttons, and technology covering CAD/CAM/CIM, software for designing, data monitoring and processing.

Over 80 companies and brands from across the world including from UK, USA, Germany, Italy, Taiwan (ROC), France, Japan, Korea, India, Turkey, Spain, Greece, Singapore, and Pakistan are participating in the event.

A major attraction of Texpo this year is Fabtex, a dedicated display of commercial textile, fabric, and linen that will be held on the sidelines. An exclusive range of yarns and fabrics, accessories, trimmings, and other embellishments will be showcased at the event.

Considering the exhibit profile of Texpo and Fabtex and given the current high demand for automation products and technologies by the regional garment manufacturing and textile industry, a large turnout of trade visitors from the MENA region, especially garment manufacturers, tent makers, upholsters, interior decorators, blinds and awning manufacturers, furniture makers, auto seat manufacturers, and boat builders, soft furnishing makers, furniture makers, manufacturers of apparel/non-apparel items in sewn products, textile distributors and retailers, garment accessory distributors and retailers, interior designers, interior design contractors, interior design consultants, garment re-sellers, is expected.

Texpo and Fabtex are being organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industy (SCCI).

The events will be open to trade visitors only from 11 am to 8 pm.