Lanka to benefit from Asian apparel alliance

Channa KASTURISINGHE

APPAREL: Apparel exporting countries in Asia have stepped up their efforts towards forming a regional alliance to successfully face competition from other regions following the elimination of the quota system.

Leading industry associations from seven countries recently met in Shanghai to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation among them with regard to production, brands and market expansion.

A. Sukumaran, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association who represented at this meeting told the Daily News that such an association would immensely benefit countries like Sri Lanka in facing future challenges.

Heads of China National Garment Association, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, The Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, The Clothing Manufacturers' Association of India, Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers' and Exporters Association and Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association were present at this meeting.

Sukumaran said that following the abolishing of quota system Asia has now become the most important manufacturing regions in the world.

"Our aim is to achieve a comprehensive mutual cooperation which would help us to intensify mutual advantage complementation, achieve rational resource allocation and facilitate common development.

Most importantly as a powerful regional association we would be able to successfully negotiate policies against Western trade restrictions on imports from Asia," he said.

Sukumaran said that the first Asian Apparel Roundtable Conference in March this year will be held in Beijing.

"We met in Shanghai a couple of weeks ago also to discuss our arrangements for the next Roundtable in March next year. We are planning to hold this conference annually until we lay a strong foundation for the forming of Asian Apparel Association," Sukumaran said.

He said the agreement among the leading associations of the countries would also enable them to support each other in holding and participating in exhibitions and other events.

"We would also be able to increase cooperation in design and research and development. We have also decided to attach great importance to the promotion of apparel products with Asian traditional features and oriental style worldwide," Sukumaran said.

Following the abolishing of the multi-fibre agreement in 2005 Asian apparel exporting countries have been facing fierce competition from other regions. It has been highlighted that Asian apparel industry should join hands to face this competition and to avoid trade friction.

The industry delegation headed by Sukumaran also attended the Shanghai International Garment Machinery and Accessories Fair (SIGMA 2006) in the Fengjing province.

Sukumaran said Sri Lankan manufacturers should also consider China as a cheaper source of garment machinery and accessories provides and its expertise rather than considering it as a challenge to the local apparel industry.