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The opening ceremonies were attended by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Mosharrekh - Expo Centre Sharjah Board Member, Mr. Saif Al Midfa - Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah, directors of various government departments, and members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations.
The four-day Texpo, which is in its twelfth edition this year, is displaying a wide range of equipment, machinery, and technology, for the regional garment manufacturing and textile industry. The event is aiming at boosting the automation process in the UAE garment manufacturing and textile industry.
Among the displays at Texpo are 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.
"Adopting new technology and equipment is vital for the country's garment manufacturing and textile industry," said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa after the opening ceremony of Texpo.
"After dismantling of the textile quotas in 2005, lowering production costs, enhancing the product quality, and focusing on specialized niche products, have become key to retaining the competitive edge in the industry. Texpo, which has for long been depended upon by the regional garment manufacturing and textile industry for its complete sourcing requirements, is now focusing on facilitating and expediting the industry's adoption of the whole automation process," he added.
The UAE garment manufacturing and textile industry is currently facing intense competition from manufacturers in India and China, where the costs of production and raw material are substantially lower.
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.
Talking to reporters after the inauguration ceremony of Texpo, Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah said: "The current edition of Texpo is hosting 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."
"The event is an ideal platform for the regional garment manufacturing and textile industry for not only sourcing their requirements of world-class machinery and equipment, but also for tapping the latest technologies and solutions from across the globe,"
he added.
A major attraction of Texpo this year is Fabtex, a dedicated display of commercial textile, fabric, and linen that is being held on the sidelines. An exclusive range of yarns and fabrics, accessories, trimmings, and other embellishments are being 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.
The other two exhibitions that opened alongside Texpo were Arab Asia Trade Fair and Food Festival.
The four-day Arab Asia Trade Fair is showcasing a large variety of high quality and affordable consumer goods and services by Asian and Arab manufacturers.
Products on display include crystal wares and chandeliers, watches and clocks, toys, games and stationery, promotional giveaways and plaques, artificial flowers and plants, art and antiques, ceramics, porcelain and glass, pictures and paintings, bags and travel goods, ready made garments, sports and leisure goods, imitation and fashion jewellery, perfumes and beauty products, furniture, carpets, wall coverings, lights, lamps and fixtures, electronic and electrical appliances, plastics and melamine wares.
"The idea behind the Arab Asia Trade Fair is to bring together reputed Arab and Asian manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers of consumer goods and services under one roof," said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa.
"It is a platform that not only provides the region's consumers access to a large range of products and services from Arab and Asian manufacturers, but also acts as an important sourcing platform for store owners dealing in consumer goods, bulk buyers, and distributors and agents seeking to expand their portfolios," he said.
The current edition of the Arab Asia Trade Fair is hosting three national pavilions. These are from Libya, Sudan, and Vietnam.
The pavilion from Libya consists of thirteen companies. Among the products that are on display at the pavilion are food, chemicals, plastic products, paints and putties, biscuits and chocolates, and detergent. Tourist destinations in Libya are also being showcased at the Fair.
The Sudanese pavilion is featuring five companies. These are Sudaexpo for Exhibitions & Conferences Organizers, Sudi Sudanese Bank, Emirates And Sudan Bank, Omdurman National Bank, and the Agricultural Bank of Sudan.
The Vietnamese pavilion is hosting sixteen companies and is featuring furniture, handicrafts, construction materials, agricultural products, and garments and textiles.
"The UAE, largely due to its strategic location, state of the art infrastructure, and investor friendly policies, is considered to be the Middle East's main trading hub," said Mr. Saif Al Midfa.
"The regional consumer market is worth more than USD $ 200 billion and the Arab Asia Trade Fair is a platform that provides Arab and Asian manufacturers of consumer goods and services access to this massive and lucrative market,"
he added.
After the inauguration of the five-day Food Festival, a dedicated and focused B2C platform that is hosting manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of food products and services, from across the globe, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa said: "This year's Food Festival is a delight for UAE's food connoisseurs."
"Visitors to the event can expect to savour some of the finest food products, and also avail good bargains and participate in competitions and other promotional activities. For the regional food and beverage industry, the event provides ample scope for networking and for exploring opportunities for tie-ups including franchises," he added.
The current edition of the Food Festival is displaying fresh, frozen, processed, and packed food, dairy products, beverages, spices, grains, and cereals, health food, and restaurant services.
Exhibit profile at the show includes kitchen utensils, crockery, cooking range, hoods, hobs, kitchen cabinets, kitchen sinks, faucet , kitchen linen and serviettes , table wear, dinning tables, food trolleys, kitchen working table, kitchen storage shelves, Kitchen appliances and aids.
"The UAE, given that its population has touched the 5-million mark, 20 times more than what it was in 1971, provides infinite opportunities for the food and beverage industry," said Mr. Saif Al Midfa.
"The Food Festival, besides highlighting those opportunities, also functions as a market entry vehicle for the global food and beverage industry. For those companies that are already present in the region, the event is an aid for further strengthening their position,"
he added.
A major highlight of the Food Festival this year is the participation of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the nodal agency of the Government of India for promoting the country's external trade, in the form of a dedicated pavilion.
Among the companies at the pavilion is the Coconut Development Board (CDB). The CDB is a statutory body established under the Government of India's Ministry of Agriculture, for the integrated development of coconut cultivation and industry in the country with focus on productivity increase and product diversification. CDB is based in Kochi, Kerela, India.
Major attractions at the current edition of the Food Festival include activities like cookery, ice and Fruit carving, demonstration by five star hotels, and distribution of food gift hampers and a wide range of competitions.
General consumers, grocery store owners, convenience store owners, food and beverage managers, restaurants, clubs, cafeterias, and government and private Institutions, will form the bulk of visitors at the show.
All the three exhibitions are being organized by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
