Apparel exhibitions to woo manufacturers

By Jayampathy Jayasinghe

The Apparel Industry Suppliers Exhibition (AISEX) and the Fabric and Accessory Sourcing Exhibition (FASE) are expected to attract apparel manufacturers from the region.

The Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishard Bathiudeen said Sri Lanka's apparel sector employs around 270,000 people that generates 45 percent of Sri Lanka's export revenue. It uplift the lives of rural women and is the largest contributor to the national economy.

He said this at the launch of the Apparel Industry Suppliers Exhibition (AISEX) and the Fabric and Accessory Sourcing Exhibition (FASE) held in Colombo recently. The two exhibitions will be held in Colombo from November 25 to 27 at the Srimavo Bandaranike memorial Exhibition Centre.

The Minister said they are grateful to garment exporters for their professional competence in the international market despite challenges from other garment exporting countries. "We appreciate the role played by the suppliers of machinery, fabrics and accessories for their contribution in providing technology, products and services."

"The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) gives priority towards development and promotion of the garment industry.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa had said that the apparel industry will be expanded by securing new overseas markets ." the minister said.

Sri Lanka Apparel Institute Chairman Professor Lakdas Fernando said Sri Lanka's Apparel export was a US dollar three million business.

A great effort will be put this year in making Colombo a focal point in the South Asian region.

"We are looking at forging links with professional bodies in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and will strengthen regional effort to make the exhibition a regional event".

"This year we are hosting AISEX for the eighth time while the FASE will be held for the 4th year."

According to exhibition organisers the regional participation in the two exhibitions have increased over the years, he said.

The AISEX and FASE exhibitions are organised by the Sri Lanka Apparel Institute and the Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services supported by the joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) the umbrella apparel industry representative body of Sri Lanka.