Knitwear exports to US head north

With the abolition of quota system, the growth in apparel exports to the US has shown an increase as compared to China.

Addressing a curtain raiser press conference for the 22nd India Knit Fair Spring/Summer Collection 2007, A Sakthivel, president of the Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA), said, "There was a deflection of trade from China to India in the apparel sector. This has resulted in a higher growth of India's exports compared to that of China."

Of the total Rs 8,000 crore knitwear exports from Tirupur, the exports to US stood at 34 per cent as on March 31, 2006 as against 27 per cent for the corresponding period last year.

"Along with the export led growth, it becomes necessary for the producers to showcase their products and the technology involved in producing them," he added.

The fair, which is jointly organised by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), TEA and India Knit Fair Association (IKFA), along with the Union ministry of textiles, will be organised from May 10-12, 2006 at Tirupur.

This year, the fair is targeted at buyers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland besides those from the US and UK.

More than 53 buying houses and 111 agents are expected to participate in the event. Business enquiry was expected to cross more than Rs 50 crore, Sakthivel added.