Tex Trends 2012 generates business of USD 282 million

Buyers from non-traditional markets attracted towards India’s apparel industry Tex Trends India 2012 was inaugurated by Shri Anand Sharma, Honourable Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles on 16th July 2012, in the presence of Smt. Kiran Dhingra, Secretary (Textiles), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Tex Trends India is a unique fair which brings together the best in Indian apparel & accessories, fabrics, home furnishings & made-ups, Indian handicrafts, wool & wool products, jute and carpets – all under one roof. A blend of the traditional and the modern, Tex Trends India, is the biggest ever event on Indian textiles featuring over 400 exhibitors displaying a diverse range of products from the entire length and breadth of the country.

Speaking at the Tex Trends India July 2012, Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC said, “The whole apparel industry is thankful to the Ministry of Textiles for giving us a new direction for increase of our exports to non-traditional markets. At the same time, we are hopeful that demands will pick up in the traditional markets. Tex Trends 2012 surely offers opportunity for this. Under Minister Shri Sharma’s dynamic leadership, all the Councils are vigorously pursuing export promotion events in these non-traditional markets like Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Israel, to name a few. I am happy to inform you that exports of garments from India to non-traditional markets have increased from US$ 2.7 billion in the year 2009-10 to US$ 3.15 billion in the year 2011-12, showing an increase of over 15%”. He further added that “This is to be noted that buyers from Israel and Turkey have shown special interest in this Fair due to our focus in these non- traditional markets. However, AEPC is hopeful that demand will surely pick in the traditional market too.”

In order to encourage the exhibitors to bring about their best in innovative and aesthetic skills, the Ministry of Textiles decided to hold Best Display Award Function on the sidelines of the Tex Trends India July 2012. Awards for Fabrics & Yarns and Made-Ups category were presented by Shri H K L Magu, Vice Chairman (Northern Region) AEPC; while those for Garments & Fashion Accessories and Handlooms category were presented by Shri Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman (Exhibition Advisory Committee), AEPC, and those for Jute and Theme Area category were given out by Smt. Manisha Sinha, Director (Exports), Ministry of Textiles.

Several seminars were organized by AEPC on the sidelines of the Fair. Mr. Rajesh Bheda, from Bheda Consulting, spoke on the topic of Lean Management in the Textile Industry. Another speaker Mr. Venkatesh Nagan from ASMARA International Limited spoke on India Sourcing - A Buyer’s Perspective. The last seminar was on the topic of Silk Mark- the Seal of Satisfaction. The seminar was attended by international buyers, buying agents, exhibitors and representatives of exports promotion councils.

At the conclusion of this three day event, Shri Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman (Exports Promotion) AEPC said: “In-spite of the sluggishness of the US and European markets, Tex Trends India July 2012 has received a tremendous response, both in terms of footfall of buyers/buying agents and orders booked. This fair was visited by 1194 buyers and 890 buying agents. Confirmed orders and those under negotiation are to the tune of USD 282 million as per provisional data available. This represents a whopping growth of 95% in buyers/buying agents footfall and an excellent growth of close to 30% in orders booked and those under negotiation, over the 2nd Edition of Tex Trends held in January 2012. These figures suggest that though the order size seems to have shrunk but India continues to attract buyers in larger numbers. The Government of India’s continued support to this Fair and the ability of the exhibitors to offer fashion closer to the season, have been instrumental in this phenomenal growth. The most heartening outcome of this Fair has been the huge growth of more than 40% witnessed in the non-traditional markets”.