Asian apparel conference on November 22

Asian Apparel Federation (AAF), a newly formed textile body, is organising its first Asian Apparel conference in Mumbai this month with an objective to project Asia as a textile hub worldwide.

Exploring new avenues for textile trade will be one of the top agendas of the two-day conference starting from November 22.

"The message to the world will be to look at Asia not just as a manufacturing base," said Rahul Mehta, vice-president, AAF, and president of Clothing Manufactures Association of India (CMAI).

AAF represents 10 Asian nations including India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. America and Europe are currently the major overseas markets.

However, consumption in Asian countries is also increasing, and therefore, the region can be a potential market for exports. At a time when the local textile industry has been hit hard due to the appreciating rupee and shrinking exports, venturing into new markets may help the industry.

Rejecting the view that Indian textile products may not have room in Chinese market, Mehta said that in the branded segment, there was scope in China as several inquiries were being made from that country for introducing Indian brands. CMAI will also be facilitating meetings between local textile companies and the Chinese market players.

Besides China, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka are also likely to be good markets India textile players. The changing scenario offers large business potential to Asian apparel companies within Asia. The conference will look forward to explorIng new business opportunities and joint ventures in the region.