Prime Source Forum 2016: Ethiopian minister to be keynote speaker

The 11th Prime Source Forum (PSF), the leading global event that brings together executives and senior stakeholders from the apparel and footwear supply chain is is scheduled for March 14 and 15 in Hong Kong. This year, Ethiopian Minister and Special Advisor to Prime Minister Arkebe Oqubay will be the keynote speaker. Oqubay is the author of ‘Made in Africa: Industrial Policy in Ethiopia’ which focuses on Africa’s economic transformation, industrialisation and policymaking . PSF spokesperson, Josephine Ching says they are happy to have someone like Oqubay’s calibre joining Prime Source Forum this year. “Ethiopia is fast emerging as global manufacturing hub and delegates will benefit immensely from Minister Oqubay’s insight and perspective,” says Ching.

Ethiopia emerges strong apparel supplier

A recent McKinsey report where, Chief Purchasing Officers (CPOs) of $70 billion in 2014 purchasing volume in the apparel sector, were surveyed regarding their sourcing strategy. The report revealed while sourcing powerhouses such Bangladesh and China will remain significant players, Ethiopia is on the list of countries that CPOs expect will play a bigger role in their apparel manufacturing.

Fellow keynote speaker Tino Zeiske, Senior Vice President for Corporate Responsibility at Metro Group will share his perspective on the sustainable development in the fashion industry following the G7 Summit and COP21. K C Tan of Dassault Systemes will lead a discussion on the adoption of 3D and Virtual Reality technology in the apparel sector. A diverse group of brands and supply chain experts will delve into best practice for initiating and accelerating the application of this technology in the apparel supply chain.

PSF initiated in 2006focues on the implementation of quota elimination in the apparel industry, with the support of three founding organisations, the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA; formerly USAITA) and Foreign Trade Association (FTA) in Brussels. However, PSF is not limited to just sourcing aspect of the supply chain, it also reflects on sources of information for the fashion industry. Held in Hong Kong since 2006, the event brings together over 400 top professionals from more than 20 countries who delve on the challenges and opportunities that manufacturers, suppliers and retailers face in the apparel supply chain.

This international event offers ample opportunity for delegates to network with their peers, mingle with expert panelists and exchange ideas with their peers and competitors alike on issues of mutual interest. Past keynote speakers include: Paul Charron, Former Chairman of Liz Claiborne, William Fung, Group MD of Li & Fung, Edwin Keh, Former COO of Walmart Global Procurement, Andrew Wu, LVMH Group Director in China among others.

Top organisations including adidas, APLL, Clarks, Coats, Cotton Council, Cotton Inc., Crocs, Dassault Systemes, EastMax, Fung Retailing, GAFTI, H&M, InvestHK, Lectra, LF Sourcing, New Balance, Primark, PVH, among others are expected to participate in PSF2016.