More R&D into apparel sector needed

Indunil Hewage

The local apparel industry authorities emphasize the importance of adopting top-notch industrial research and development activities to build enhanced technological capabilities to be competitive globally.

Joint Apparel Association Forum General Secretary M P T Cooray said when compared to other industries, the global apparel industry has been far behind in industrial research and development in the face of its inability to inject substantial amount of money to conduct research activities.

“We do not see large conglomerates in the global apparel industry. When it comes to industrial research and development activities, access to finance has been identified as the major constraint the industry is facing today.

“It is a well-known fact that the apparel industry is in the process of providing the same types of products and has not been successful in providing diversified garments for people living in cold climates other than manufacturing a jersey.

The automobile and mobile phone industries have benefited in offering superior products with improved functionally at a lower price.