National Garment Fair features 495 brands

A huge rush of trade visitors, hitherto unseen in the past Editions, resulted into generation of inquiries and good bookings. This clearly showed the mindset of Apparel Retailers anticipating a revival in demand at the Store Level in the forthcoming Festive Seasons. We had footfalls of more than 25,000 Trade Visitors said Mr. Rahul Mehta, President – CMAI, thus summarizing the overall positive effects of the 55th National Garment Fair.

The 55th National Garment Fair organised by CMAI was inaugurated by Smt. Kiran Dhingra,IAS, Secretary  (Textiles) on 9th July 2012 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, NSE, Goregaon (E), Mumbai. The largest ever Apparel Trade Show for the Domestic Market, had over 400 Exhibitors, representing 495 Brands. This B2B Fair was restricted to Garment Retailers, Traders, Agents and Distributors. The Fair remained open till 11th July 2012.

Smt. Dhingra expressed satisfaction at the huge Participation and complimented the Association for their Organisation of the Fair and their immense Contribution towards the Development of the Domestic Apparel Industry in India.

The Government is hopeful of achieving the revised Textiles Export Target of USD 40.5 Billion for 2012-13, despite the demand slowdown in Major Western Markets like the US and Europe.  "We are hopeful of achieving the Textile Export Target of USD 40.5 Billion in the current fiscal as compared to USD 33 Billion in FY 12, Smt. Dhingra stated after Inaugurating CMAI’s 55th National Garment Fair in Mumbai. Mr. A.B. Joshi, Textile Commissioner graced the occasion.

Smt. Dhingra said that the Textile Ministry was concerned over the demand slowdown in Major Western Markets like the US and Europe, but New Markets like Latin America, Africa Middle East and Japan had good potential.

After sops were announced in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), the Exporters have responded positively and based on it we have revised this year's Textiles Exports Target upwards from USD 38 Billion to USD 40.5 Billion, she said. Segments including Apparel, Handicrafts and Carpets are upbeat about Exports Performance this year, she added.

To help the cash-starved Industry, the Government has announced the Restructuring of Debt worth Rs. 35,000 Crore to bail out the Textile Industry.  A Meeting of a Group of Officers will be held on July 13 in New Delhi to formulate the Debt Restructuring Proposals on a case-by-case basis for the Textile Industry, Smt. Dhingra further said.

She stated further that in the 11th Plan, 40 Textile Parks were sanctioned and for the 12th plan, 21 Textile Parks have been given the nod so far.

"The Sowing of Cotton has affected due to poor Rainfall," Textile Commissioner Mr. A.B. Joshi said, adding that the Area under Cotton may fall in 2012/13 from last year as Farmers may opt for competing Crops like Soybeans, which give better returns.

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI)