India’s Largest Apparel Trade Show – The 69th National Garment Fair

Ø  INDIA’S LARGEST APPAREL B2B TRADE SHOW INAUGURATED IN MUMBAI: FAIR TO CONTINUE TILL 18TH JULY 2019

Ø  CMAI’S 69TH NATIONAL GARMENT FAIR EXHIBITS 1062 BRANDS BY 882 EXHIBITORS

Ø  Rs. 750 CRORE TO Rs. 800 CRORE BUSINESS EXPECTED TO BE GENERATED DURING 4 DAYS

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) has organized “India’s Largest  Apparel Trade Show – The 69th National Garment Fair” from 15TH  Julyto 18th   July 2019  at Bombay Exhibition Centre, NSE Complex, Goregaon (East), Mumbai. The Fair was inaugurated today by Mr. Rahul Mehta, President – CMAI.

While inaugurating the fair, Mr. Mehta stated that business of around Rs.750 crore to Rs. 800 crore was expected to be generated during the four days of the fair.

 CMAI’s 69th NGF B2B Fair is spread over Approx. 7,00,000 Square Feet, covering all the Halls at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, with 882 Exhibitors  showcasing 1062 Brands. This is India’s Largest Ever Garment Fair held so far.  The Fair displays leading Brands in Men’s wear, Women’s wear, Kid’s wear and Accessories. CMAI has also published the ‘Show Directory’, popularly known as the Fair Guide. Approximately 50,000 Retailers & Trade Visitors from all over India are expected to visit this Fair.

 This B2B Fair would remain open only to Trade Visitors & Garment Retailers. The Business Networking Sessions between the Exhibitors and Agents & Distributors, would also continue this year.

This Fair has been brought by UDAAN , India’s leading B2B e-commerce platform having the Largest Distribution Network for Retailers, Wholesalers, Brands and Manufacturers across multiple Categories. Udaan’s Marketplace services include Credit, Logistics, Marketing & Sales support to Buyers and Sellers on its Platform, facilitating efficient and convenient transactions across the Country. Through a seamless process, it enables the Buyer to select a Product, Place an Order with Sellers who pack it and dispatch it through Udaan’s Logistics Network.

Mr. Rahul Mehta, President - The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (Ex-Chairman, International Apparel Federation),stated that the biggest problem facing the Domestic Garment manufacturers today is the unrestricted Duty Free imports from Bangladesh, and the back door entry of Chinese Fabrics via Bangladesh.

India has an FTA with Bangladesh, whereby Garments can be exported without any payment of Duty into India. In the absence of any Rules of Origin, Bangladesh manufacturers are importing duty free fabrics from China, converting them into Garments, and exporting in to India – thereby virtually providing duty free access to Indian markets for Chinese Fabrics. It is important to note that the Imports of Garments from Bangladesh has been growing at the rate of 82% over last year, and 161% over 2016-17, and has now reached US$365 million. If this continues, our forecast is that it will only grow faster and imports of garments from Bangladesh will touch US$3.6 Billion by 2024-25. Ironically, exports of Garments from India into Bangladesh is subject to a net duty of almost 125%. CMAI has urged the Government to  take immediate steps, otherwise if this growth of imports allowed to continue, the Industry is set to lose 10 lakh jobs by 2025.                                                        

Mr. Rahul Mehta demanded that the rules of origin should come into force. A minimum amount of raw materials (fabric) used for garment, which are exported from Bangladesh to India, should be made out of materials either manufactured in Bangladesh or imported from India. In other words, materials of third country should not be permitted in garments exported by Bangladesh to India. In addition, Indian apparel industry should also get duty free access to Bangladesh under the FTA. There is good scope of exports of women ethnic wear to Bangladesh.

On export front, he stated that from October 2018, there has been a recovery and garment exports have steadily increased since then. For the first two months of 2019 -20, there is a month on month growth of approximately 9% over the previous year. The revival in apparel exports is due to the proactive support from the government, which recognizes the huge employment potential of the industry.

After successfully completing Training of nearly 43,000 workmen in the last 3 years, CMAI has been again requested by the Ministry of Textiles to actively participate in the SAMARTH scheme, and it is likely to accept a target of 30,000 additional workmen training in the coming 3 years.

With its headquarter in Mumbai, CMAI also has Branches in New Delhi, Bangalore and Pune.

 CMAI has recently moved its Headquarter to a more centrally located spacious Office in order to provide all Services under One Roof. New Office is situated at A -901, Naman Midtown, Senapati Bapat Marg, Prabhadevi (West), Mumbai 400 013.