| The region, which supplies close to 50 per cent of the world's apparel and clothing, is throwing up several opportunities, they said. |
| Speaking at the federation's second Asian Apparel Conference, Rahul Mehta, vice-president and president of the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), said: "In a few years, Asia will be supplying 52 per cent of the world's garments. However, it is time to look at the region as a market as well." |
| AAF represents ten Asian nations, including, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and China. These countries have better economic growth in the last couple of years than their western counterparts. |
| Rising disposable incomes coupled with retail growth has fuelled consumerism in these countries. Zhou Shaoxiong, vice-president, China National Garment Association, said, "China is improving not only as an exporter of garments but also a fast consumer. international brands are very keen to enter the country." |
| "There is scope for Indian brands to venture into China's garments industry as there are several enquiries from that country. Thailand, Malyasia and Srilanka are the big potential markets in Asia, besides China," Mehta earlier told Business Standard. |
| AAF members said reliance on traditional overseas markets (the US and Europe) should be reduced as dollar weakness has taken a toll on Asian garment exporters. |
| "We now need to lessen our dependence on export markets and should give more importance to our own markets," said, Yeung Chun Fan, president, Federation of Hong Kong Garments Manufacturers. There growing demand in Asia and if we trap the market right here, it will help us, he added. |
| Ijaz Khokar, chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers' and Exporters' Association, said, "We need to increase the business in Asian since there is a huge untapped market." |
| He also said exchange of technical expertise should take place within the region, he said. |
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