Textile in the UAE has had one of the most significant impacts on the country's economic prosperity. Yet, it is one of the least marketed industries in both the UAE and the region at large. Today, the country stands as the world's fourth largest trading center for fashion and apparel, raking in an estimated $17.5 billion annually. This makes it the second largest trading sector behind oil and also one of UAE's largest employers in the industrial sector. Dubai is a particularly attractive destination for local and international textile companies because of its strategic positioning, advanced infrastructure, free and fair business environment, favorable shipping costs and locally growing population.
The INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE FAIR (ITF) was introduced in Dubai last year to further boost this sector and provide added competitive advantages to the regional traders through exposure to a global network. The fair is set to scale up in its second season and is showcasing at the World Trade Center on the 26th to 27th April 2015. This season, ITF is bringing together over 200 international textile manufacturers in the region, along with a panel of industry experts to provide technical expertise and industry trend talks to visitors at the fair.
Since its conception, ITF has garnered tremendous support from Dubai Customs, which expressed its appreciation towards the organizers of the fair. Mr. Khalfan Alkeabi, Senior Manager Client Relations at Dubai Customs said; "We are delighted to be part of the INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE FAIR, which is a dynamic platform that will further consolidate Dubai's position as a regional hub for major international trade between the East and West." He added that, "The exhibition provides real opportunities for industry participants in the textile an increased return on their investments in the Middle East and UAE in particular, due to the availability of infrastructure and legislation that is conducive to investment." Mr. Alkeabi recognized that the maiden season of the fair brought new trading partners and a variety of new products to Dubai's textile traders and designers and opened the market up for better business development overall and is eager to see the success of the future seasons.
Texmas, the Textile Merchants Group that represents 800 Dubai wholesale textile traders has also expressed its gratitude at Dubai Customs presence at ITF and has strongly endorsed the fair as a platform that allows both foreign and the local traders to explore opportunities within the lucrative regional market. Ex-chairman of Texmas, Mr. Tejinder Singh articulated his pleasure at the advent of a serious trade event such as INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE FAIR in this sector. He says, "There is much need for an event that showcases the strength of the local textile industry that has been the mainstay of the city's financial development." He also adds that; "Dubai has a competitive advantage over other textile markets, as its traders are able to observe the changing fashions and are adept at meeting the requirements of both local and international designers." As M.D. of Bhagat Group of Companies, Mr. Singh has a niche in high-end embroideries that he supplies to both regional and international luxury wear designers.
The UAE is currently the world's third largest exporter of textiles, with the country over $1.623 billion worth of textiles in 2014, representing a 7.75 per cent share of the global export market.[1] UAE now witnesses an annual cumulative growth rate of 4% and by 2016, it is set to become the world's leading high-end textile and garment re-export centre. With global textile trade also on the rise, there is a need for the region to stay competitive and benefit from the overall industry growth. The international exhibitors at the fair consist of leading textile manufacturers, accessories and trim suppliers, print studios, apparel producers and traders and also embroidery machine makers. Through platforms such as INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE FAIR, wholesalers in the region can keep ahead of the global competition by accessing a full range of production options and negotiating directly with manufacturers for better prices and MOQs. They are also able to communicate with the manufacturers and give them regional insight on the specific textile needs of the lucrative Middle East market.
Experts estimate that textile and apparel trade is expected to reach $805 billion by 2015, nearly $2 billion more than in 2010.[2] The UAE is now becoming the world's leading centre for textile industry automation with the presence of about 150 apparel manufacturing companies accounting for about 5.5% of the world's annual textile and clothing sales. INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE FAIR comes at an opportune time in the country's textile trading history, opening up the region for new markets. Returning exhibitors have seen the value generated from this opportunity with examples like Italian textile design company, Maritex Di Desenzani Maria Maddalena, who achieved sales figures of close to half a million dollars in the span of two days at the fair's maiden season last October.
Mr. Ismail Karim, managing partner at Al-Dar Trading and Honorary Secretary General of Texmas, has seen the regional industry grow. He observes that; "The UAE has long been the trading hub of the Middle East. It serves as a conduit between different regions making it easy for many regional countries to source a variety of goods from one central and convenient location. ITF provides an important platform to continue developing this vital sector and to further solidify Dubai's position as the centre of the textile trade in the region. The continued growth of the INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE FAIR reverberates the strong positive sentiment of trade in Dubai as more and more countries look to the UAE as the destination of choice to source and showcase their products."
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About International Textile Fair
International Textile Fair- Dubai aims to be UAE's premier platform for fashion and fabrics. Principally a "trade only" event, ITF provides a professional and conducive atmosphere to business and networking for manufacturers, traders and designers both internationally and within the region. Over 800 international exhibitors showcase at ITF and the fair is attended by leading fashion and apparel buying houses from the Middle Eastern market.
Exclusive areas at the show:
- Spring/Summer 2016 Trends Forecast area
- Modest Trends Spring/Summer 2016
- Various interactive zones & workshop area
Workshops Speakers & Themes:
- PECLERS PARIS- Our Summer 2016 Women's Fashion Vision
- CRAFTLAND- Embroidery and startup for small fashion ventures
- NELLY RODI- Trends Forecast Spring/Summer 2016
- PANTONE- Pantone trend colors for Spring/Summer 2016 and how to find these colors in the Pantone color guides.
- ABBAYA ADICT- Modest trends by Dr. Deanna Khalil
- PROMOSTYL-TBA
- Al KHAWARIZMI INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE - DR. ANDRA- The multicultural diversity and the influences of different cultures in Fashion
Show visitor profile:
- Fabric Importers, Distributors and Wholesalers.
- Garment Exporters and Manufacturers.
- Buying houses & agents.
- Local & International Retail Chains.
- Department Stores.
- Apparel Brands.
- Fashion Designers & Merchandisers.
- Design Studios & Institutes.
For more information and event registration, visit the ITF Website: http://www.internationaltextilefair.com/
Media Enquires:
Karuna Advani Ramchandani
Tel: 971 55 8383133
Email: karuna@themodevilla.com
[1] Source: Study conducted by the Directorate-General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics Kolkata
[2] Source: China National Textile & Apparel Council (CNTAC)
© Press Release 2015
