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By Shirajiv Sirimane

Sri Lanka will sign deals to the tune of nearly US $ 10 million at the second International Garment Machinery Fabrics and Accessories (IGMA) Show which will be held from July 4 to 6 at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) Colombo.

According to Chairman, International Trade Fair Organisers and High Tech International Trade Fair(Pvt)India, A. Rayappa, Sri Lankan entrepreneurs signed deals to the value of over Rs. 2 million, at the last exhibition which was also held in Sri Lanka.

He said that over 60 exhibitors from seven countries manufacturing Garment related industry items will attend this fair. "We are expecting nearly 100 exhibitors from 15 countries including India, Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea and Europe to attend the IGMA exhibition this year."

Rayappa said that a 120-member delegation from India is expected to attend this event while 15 members from the Maldives too have conformed their participation. "We are expecting over 5,000 visitors including buyers from Sri Lanka."

He said that with the garment quota system ending in 2005 there would be major competition among manufacturers and without new technology, third world countries would not be able to compete in the global market.

"The IGMA exhibition will bring new technology to the door step of Sri Lanka's garment manufacturers and they could purchase modern machinery at this exhibition without having to go overseas.

Thus Sri Lankans will be able to save on time, shipping charges and customs duty." He said the ongoing peace process by the Government has enthused more international companies to explore the expanding Sri Lankan market.

"Exhibitors will display dyeing machines, balloon padding machines, dyes and chemicals, industrial sewing needles, hydro extractor dyeing winch, testing instruments, labels, sewing machines, lingerie accessories, speciality chemicals for textile processing, plastisol inks, plastic mould creates, hot air sealing machines and sealing tapes.

In addition CAD/CAM software, Ironing systems, apparel fabrics too would be on display. A large number of international trade publications will also be a part of the show."

The Salem Association of Garment Exporters will showcase over 500 fabrics samples from various production centres of India. With a categorised display of the latest collection of all kinds of fabrics, the "Indian Fabric Showcase" will expose to the local industry the latest developments in the area of fabrics.

Visitors can look, feel and source the requirement of their choice and a catalogue tilted "Indian fabric showcase " will be given to each buyer to enable him to contact the manufacturers.

The Trends N Motion which will also be a part of IGMA will sport fabrics of Indian origin including knits in cotton and blends, woven in cotton, polyester blends and also coated fabrics. "We are also bring Indian models for the show and there would be daily fashion shows."

He said that the Sri Lanka Textile and apparel sector is the most significant and dynamic contributor to Sri Lanka's overall economy and has grown to become the primary export earner.

The apparel industry has recorded a 92% growth rate between 1994-2000 with earnings increasing from US$ 3 b in 2000.

IGMA Lanka 2003 is organised jointly by Hi-Tech International Trade Fair India Limited, Tirupur India and Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre (SLECC).

Hi-Tech has been organising globally popular Knit-Tech, largest knitting technology exhibitions at Tirupur for the past 10 years, the latest edition of which was spread over 200,000 sq. ft, attracting 300 exhibitors from 20 countries.

SLECC has so far organised over 100 exhibitions.

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Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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