53rd IIGF takes off in Delhi on a buoyant note

Textile minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar inaugurated the 53rd India International Garment Fair (IIGF) 2014 in the presence of Zohra

Chatterji, Secretary Textiles, Monika S Garg, (JS Exports), Virender Uppal, Chairman AEPC among others at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The IIGF is India’s largest garment show in South Asia, covering apparel and fashion accessories; encompassing a vast exhibition area of around 19,533 square meters. The objective is to showcase latest garment and fashion accessories’ trends developed and created in India. The show is organized by AEPC in association with AEMA, GEA and CMAI as partner associations and GEAR as the co-organisers.

Gangwar in his inaugural address underlined the fact that India has significant advantage of a young population offering huge potential for a demographic dividend. Apparel sector being the highest employment provider in the manufacturing sector, especially for women and other weaker section of society has a much bigger role and responsibility.

Uppal informed that gathering that IIGF had attracted 416 buyers, who are divided almost 50:50 between traditional and non- traditional markets. “This is an indication that the buyers from the non-traditional markets have started showing faith and see India to be a safe and compliant destination for sourcing garments. Exploring and engaging with the non-traditional market is the need of the hour, because most of them are emerging economies and are willing to source their requirements from India. Our strategy is to synergise the complementarities and harmonize our expertise and resources for optimal results. However, in no way we would undermine the traditional markets as they constitute the major share of our export basket,” he opined. Nearly 2,799 buyers have registered on IIGF website and 416 buyers confirmed participation; who are covered under the Market Assistance Initiative (MAI) scheme of the Ministry of Commerce.

Buyers from across the globe including Brazil, UK, US, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Poland, Japan, UAE, Australia, Hong Kong, UK, Spain and Australia are visiting the fair. The big buyers include One Jeanswear Group from USA, Grupo Hotelshops, Mexico, Alpelo Conf. Lulu International from UAE, among others.

To showcase the range of design and emerging fashion trends fashion shows shall be held twice a day during all the three days of the fair. The ‘Best Display Award’ function would also be held on July 15, 2014 where three trophies – Gold, Silver and Bronze and six certificates of merit would be given to the best displayed stalls during the fair.