The keen participation of small and large size companies in the Sri Lankan edition of CEMS-Global USA’s series of textile exhibitions in Colombo recently clearly underlines the potential of the local apparel industry.
Group CEO of CEMS-Global USA and Asia-Pacific, S. S. Sarwar said that despite the Covid pandemic, and the drop in apparel sector earnings via exports, the success of the exhibition clearly shows that the Sri Lanka apparel sector is resilient and can expect better times.
From February 29 to March 2, the entire textile and garment industry of Sri Lanka visited the Sri Lankan edition of CEMS-Global USA’s textile exhibitions: the 11th Textech Sri Lanka 2024 International Expo on Textile, Garment Technology and Machinery; 13th Colombo International Yarn and Fabric Show 2024 featuring International Yarn, Fabric, Trims and Accessories Manufacturers and 43rd Dye+Chem Sri Lanka 2024 International Expo showcasing dyestuff and fine and specialty chemicals in Colombo.
“Many of the large and small companies from Sri Lanka that attended the four exhibitions were keen on embracing new technology which again shows that they want to re-invest in the apparel sector despite the current downturn globally,” Sarwar said.
He said that the participants were also keen to invest in automation moving away from the traditional labour intensive system.
Sarwar said that there was huge participation from European countries, Japan, China and other countries showcasing a diverse range of textile products and solutions including textile apparel machinery, yarn, fabric, apparel, trims, accessories, dyestuff and chemicals.
“There were over 100 foreign stalls which also indicates that the world knows that Sri Lanka’s apparel sector wants to grow and it was producing, visiting the island and linking up with Sri Lankan manufacturers.
“We also observed several new partnerships formed between local and foreign companies. Hence we are happy that our exhibitions could play the role of ‘match maker’ which would help the apparel industry to move towards the next phase of development,” he said.
First to enter SL after conflict
Sarwar recalled that CEMS-Global invested in Sri Lanka immediately after the end of the war in 2009 and launched its operations as CEMS Lanka.
State Minister Dilum Amunugama at the CEMS exhibition in Colombo
Since then, CEMS-Global with its CEMS Lanka office has held important B2B trade shows for the textile and apparel industry, logistics and shipping, and power and energy sectors of the country.
“We were also the first to host a mega exhibition of this nature soon after economic down turn in Sri Lanka,” he said.
One of the highlights of exhibitions was its commitment to showcasing innovation and sustainability. As the textile industry evolves to meet the demands of an ever-changing world, these exhibitions provide a platform for manufacturers to showcase their cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, and eco-friendly materials.
Representatives of the textile and garment industry in Sri Lanka saw a diverse range of textile products and solutions including textile apparel machinery, yarn, fabric, apparel, trims, accessories, dyestuff and chemicals at these exhibitions.
These exhibitions cover the entire textile value chain, from raw materials to finished products, enabling visitors to network with worldwide manufacturers under one roof, and forge cross-border relationships and new partnerships.
To invest in largest convention centre in SL
CEMS-Global USA, based in New York, is a multinational exhibition and convention organiser, having its operations across four continents.
“We observe the lack of a large and quality exhibition centre in Sri Lanka and are ready to invest in building and maintaining one,” Sarwar said.
He said they wish to obtain on a long-term lease and the proposal in this regard was made to State Minister of Investment Promotion, Dilum Amunugama who was very positive in supporting it.
“I am overwhelmed with the feedback I got from him as I have received several calls from a senior official of his Ministry to follow up on this proposal. When a suitable land is found we are ready to invest in this project,” he said.
Regional apparel hub
Group CEO, Sarwar said that Sri Lanka can also play the role of being an apparel sourcing hub to service the region.
He said that Sri Lanka is at a major advantage as it is not involved in geopolitics. “This is a major advantage for countries such as India and Pakistan to source their apparel material from Sri Lanka.”
He said that many international companies have indicated that they would like to source their material through Sri Lanka to the region.
Air and sea connectivity from Sri Lanka and the friendly re-export tariff is another advantage.
CEMS opens Expo in Dhaka
The 21st Dhaka International Yarn & Fabric Show 2024 (Winter edition) organised by CEMS-Global USA and CCPIT-Tex China opened at the ICCB Dhaka on Thursday in Bangladesh. The exhibitions will provide global manufacturers of yarn, fabric, trims and accessories with a platform to showcase the latest advancements, new opportunities and to forge meaningful partnerships in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is making rapid progress in the apparel industry and in the fiscal year 2021-2022, exported apparel to the value of US $45 billion, making it the second-largest apparel exporter in the world.
Bangladesh imports textile and garment machinery worth more than $4 billion in Bangladesh, and growing by 20% annually because of increasing capacities and upgrading of new Machinery.
The Bangladesh garment manufacturers are eyeing a 10% share of the global apparel market by 2025 and is aiming for an export target of US$100bn by 2030.
The shows are attracting thousands of visitors from Bangladesh and the region and more than 410 companies from 15 countries with more than 550 booths has takes part in these international exhibitions.
Highlights from the Bangladesh CEMS event
