Garment fair boosts business

The recently concluded National Garment Fair organised by the Clothing Manufacturers' Association of India (CMAI) has facilitated business worth over Rs 160 crore, up by roughly 15 per cent from last year.

The chairman of the fair and managing director of Creative Outerwear, Rahul Mehta, said, "The removal of excise duty has been welcomed by the garment industry and has led players to stop underplaying the real picture."

Excise duty abolition and better performance by the retail sector had led to emergenece of mid-size brands. These have evinced interest in advertising in the media and would set up stores for their brands as well.

The CMAI garment fair entered its 45th year this time and attracted 15,000 trade visitors. There was representation from south and east India.

New foreign buyers came in from Portugal and Spain, in anticipation of the impending changes in the Indian garment and textile scenario.

Besides acting as platform where upcoming brands and manufacturers and retailers intereacted, the fair this year had established brands for the first time. These accounted for 15 per cent of the participation.

The fair had special zones for fashion accessories and retail marts for goods including belts and leather accessories, perfumes, ties and scarves, socks, watches, shoes, home furnishings and costume jewellery. Retail stores could therefore source fashion products under one roof.