Partners of the combined textile machinery show, ITMA Asia + CITME, have planned a series of promotions before the debut of their joint event in 2008.

CITME 2006, which is to be held at the China International Exhibition Centre, Beijing, from 17 to 21 October 2006, will be the launch-pad of the promotional efforts.

The first ITMA Asia + CITME 2008 will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 27 to 31 July 2008. Partners for the combined event are CEMATEX (the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers), CTMA (China Textile Machinery Association), CCPIT-Tex (the Sub Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade) and CIEC (China Exhibition Centre Group Corporation).

Maria Avery, Secretary-General of CEMATEX explained: "CITME is the most influential and established international textile machinery exhibition in China and it has the support of both the Chinese government and private enterprises. Hence, we will be using it for the official launch of our ITMA Asia + CITME 2008 show.

"In essence, for the next two years, CEMATEX members will be looking at two key exhibitions around the world to promote their equipment - the ITMA show in Munich in 2007 and the ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition in 2008. Moving forward, this alternate focus on Europe and Asia will provide our members with the necessary global thrust for their promotional strategy."