Prime Source Forum to address compliance issues

A well formulated agenda scheduled for senior executives over a three day period from 25 – 27 March will explore critical issues facing the apparel industry, from sustainability and compliance requirements, forecasting and adding value to the supply chain model, also the emergence of new fast developing countries and challenges facing the next generation of owners taking their family businesses forward.

To gather views on a global perspective on the addressed topics, distinguished speakers across the globe have been invited to form an international panel with speakers coming from China, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Myanmar, the US and many more.

This year, a half day conference will be held at Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) on 25 March, one day prior to the 2-day forum, covering sustainability and compliance requirements. Two panel discussions will focus on ‘Managing hazardous chemicals in the textile supply chain’ and ‘the road to green and sustainable global value chains – lessons learned!’ Jason Kibbey, Executive Director and CEO of SAC will be the master of ceremonies. Other speakers from important organisations include BASF, Bureau Veritas, H&M, Migros, Textile Council of Hong Kong, VF Corp and many others.

“The revenue from this part of the conference will be shared with the Clothing Industry Training Authority for research purposes as a token of appreciation for the support and the advisory guidance from the authority, GAFTI and SAC." said Michael Duck, Executive Vice President of UBM Asia Ltd and Director of APLF Ltd, the organisers of PSF.

This year there are four Keynote Speeches. On the first day of the two-day forum, Ben Simpfendorfer, Managing Director of Silk Road Associates will present a keynote on ‘Searching for the next China – China’s rising prices and implications for supplier relations’ to tackle rising costs in China facing the supply chain. Edwin Keh, CEO of The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) and Lecturer at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania will focus on ‘Reengineering the global supply chain of the 21st Century’ on the second day, followed by Dr. Peter Lau, Chairman and Chief Executive, Giordano Intl Ltd., who will share his view on ‘The power of information and the age of co-locational development’.

Another highlight of the Forum is about Myanmar. The Keynote Address 'Unveiling the mystery of Myanmar - opportunities and challenges on the apparel industry’ will be presented by Dr. Aung WIN, Vice Chairman, Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association; Managing Director of Maple Trading Co. Ltd. of Myanmar and Dennis Meseroll, Executive Director of Tractus Asia Ltd.