Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – China International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics and Accessories
26 – 29 October 2005, Shanghai New International Expo Centre

First day of show reserved exclusively for invited buyers

Soaring demand for Chinese garment leads to increase in apparel textile imports
 
 
Press Release

In 2005, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics will once again be open for four days instead of the usual three. The first day, named “Exclusive? will be reserved for buyers with invitations only, guaranteeing only pre-selected, qualified buyers on the stands. Days two to four will be open as usual to all trade buyers, allowing exhibitors to make new contacts in the fast-growing textile marketplace. The show will be held from 26 – 29 October 2005 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

With its position at the very heart of China's eastern and central textile centres, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel fabrics is uniquely placed to offer textile manufacturers from overseas and from across China a trading platform to enter or expand their sales in this fast growing market.

Figures show that China 's garment manufacturing is strongly benefiting from the abolition of global textile quotas. In the first two months of 2005, China 's total export of garments reached over US$9 billion, an increase of more than 28% year-on-year. In February 2005, apparel exports to the US jumped 147 % from a year earlier to US$650 million, while those to Europe soared to 188 % to US$783 million.

Prior to the quota abolition, the Chinese textile industry was already showing very healthy signs of growth. In 2004, export and import of textile increased by more than 18% from the previous year to US$112 billion. Apparel exports alone rose by almost 19 % to more than US$61 billion.

The surge in garment production is not only due to a substantial increase in garment exports but also to a booming consumption of textiles domestically. China 's economy grew by more than 9% in 2004 along with a rapid rise in retail consumption. As incomes grow, Chinese urban dwellers are beginning to spend a larger percentage of their annual income on fashion; around 8% to 10% in general and around 20% for the younger population.

Although, although China 's production of apparel textiles has increased, the nation is still not able to cover all its needs, which leads to an increase in apparel textile imports.

Between January to November 2004, China 's imports of silk woven fabrics has increased by more than 24% year-on-year and imports of wool/man-made fibre blended woven fabrics grew by 21% for the same period in 2003.

Looking forward, experts anticipate that the soaring demands for garments from both the domestic and the international markets will fuel further the expansion of the country's textile industry.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and The Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT.

For more information on Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics please visit

www.intertextile.com /  www.ddkirkwood.com

fax (852) 2598 8771 or e-mail textile@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com

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Press contacts:
Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.
Ms Elisabeth Grisoni / Ms Jennifer Lam
Tel (852) 2238 9941 / 9924
Fax (852) 2519 8632
elisabeth.grisoni@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com
jennifer.lam@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com
www.messefrankfurt.com.hk