ABU DHABI, 14 Sep, 05 (WAM) - Garment manufacturers in the UAEare warding off competition from China and other Asian rivalsby resorting to automation.
UAE garment manufacturers, following the inclusion of the textiletrade in the WTO, faced stiff competition in the US and EU marketsfrom the Chinese textile industry.
China's textile and apparel exports to Europe rose 57 percentto $8.65 billion in the first half of 2005.
The industry in the UAE received some respite after the US andEU, two of the biggest markets, imposed restraints on severalcategories of textiles imported from China, according to a pressrelease.
With China having joined WTO in 2001, the developed countrieswere in a position to impose economic safeguards till 2007 inorder to limit Chinese growth.
Another relief that the UAE garment manufacturing industry receivedwas when the quota requirements were abolished in early 2005.
Till last year, the UAE garment industry had to abide by pre-setquotas for shipments to the US, thereby losing its edge to quota-freecountries such as Kenya and Madagascar.
Following the abolition of the quota requirements, garment manufacturersacross the UAE started looking at ways and means to make themselvesmore competitive. A large majority of them introduced automation.
The 4-day TEXPO 2005 Show, which began at Expo Centre Sharjahon September 12, is the Middle East's only event fullydedicated to meeting the requirements of the region's appareland allied industries.
"Automation not only helps reduce labour costs but also increasesprofit margins. Also, automation can help garment factories havegood production planning schedules and on time shipment, therebyincreasing buyer's confidence," he added.
UAE's annual garment exports to the world market increased fromDhs 619 million in 2003 to Dhs 625 million in 2004.
In 2003, UAE's garment re-export figures reached as high asDh2.3 billion in 2003. The main garment re-export destinationswere Algeria, Oman, Libya, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
According to Mr. Shafaat Ali Khan, the return on the capitalfor automated workstations can be expected anytime between sixmonths and three years.
The focus of this year's TEXPO at Expo Centre Sharjah is onthe latest equipment and machinery including technology and solutionsthat can help the regional garment manufacturing and allied industriesreduce production cost and enhance quality.
TEXPO 2005, with over 100 exhibitors from across the globe,is showcasing some of the latest solutions and technologies forthe garment manufacturing industry as well for those engagedin tent making, upholstering, interior decoration, blind andawning manufacturing, furniture making, auto seat manufacturing,and boat building.
Texpo 2005 has on display the complete range of technology andproducts used by garment manufacturers and allied industries,including industrial & domestic sewing machines, knitting andhosiery machinery and accessories for the making up industry,pressing machines, industrial irons, ironing tables etc., embroiderymachines, laboratory dyeing machinery, quality testing and measuringequipment, accessories, including machinery components, fasteners,threads, machine needles, raschel elastics, zippers, dyes & chemicals,tapes & ribbons, enzymes, softeners etc., yarns and fabrics,and more.
TEXPO is organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support ofthe Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). It concludeson September 15.
