Taiwan Textile Fair South Asia 2012 ends today

Vishmi Wijeratne

Taiwan Textile Federation officials and Chairman of EDB Janaka Ratnayaka opens the Taiwan Textile Fair South Asia 2012. Pictures by Saliya Rupasinghe

The inaugural Taiwan Textile Fair South Asia 2012, which began yesterday will conclude today at the Hotel Taj Samudra Upper Crystal Room. This fair has 17 stalls representing leading fabric and accessory exporters in Taiwan.

The Chairman of The Export Development Board (EDB), Janaka Ratnayake told 'Daily News Business' that this was a great opportunity to the apparel industry in Sri Lanka. "Taiwan offers quality fabrics at a reasonable price, thus Sri Lanka will be able to produce quality added garments for the internationally recognized market," he said.

This fair is an annual event in other South Asian regions, and it will be held in India after subsequent to the fair in Sri Lanka.

"Though this is the first time in Sri Lanka we hope that this would be an annual affair. We are optimistic that this fair will evoke eagerness in Sri Lankan Apparel exporters, thus this might not be their first and last here."

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Apparel Association (SAA), Rohan Abayakoon told 'Daily News Business that it's important for Sri Lanka to build ties with other exporters as the costs of production has gone up by 20 to 30 % YoY. "Currently only 10 % of our imports are from Taiwan. We hope that this exhibition will be a great opportunity to have better ties with the Taiwan market," The Project Manager, Taiwan Textile Federation, Jenifer Liu, said that the fair would act as a business matching platform providing both countries ample opportunities. She also added that the innovative, trendy cutting edge fabric they showcase at the fair will put the Sri Lankan textile market on a new track going towards innovation. The exhibition will showcases products ranging from functional fabrics, knitted fabric, sports and golf fabric denim and Hoisery machines laces and embroidery fabrics and much more.

A salesman with Chairman of EDB, Janaka Ratnayaka	Visitors checking merchandise at the fair	A salesman at a Taiwan stall