The 46th edition of India International Knit Fair featuring all seasons organised by Apparel Export Promotion Council (Sponsored by Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India)under the umbrella of India Knit Fair Association at IKFA Complex, Tirupur from 15th to17th May, 2019 was held successfully.
The fair was inaugurated by Kumar Jayant, IAS Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu – Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department in the presence of Dr. A Sakthivel, Chairman, India Knit Fair Association & Vice-Chairman of AEPC, Raja Shanmugham, President (TEA), Ahill Rathinasamy, President (KNITCMA), B Shanmuga Sundaram, Vice Chairman, IKFA, buyers, buying agents, exhibitors, trade members, and government officials. Kumar Jayant, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu expressed that India occupies an important position in manufacturing of readymade garments, particularly knitwear garments thereby boosting India’s economic growth as well as generating employment opportunities. Such fairs exclusively for knitwear garments showcase to the world about our innovative products and will certainly bring in a lot of business.
Dr A Sakthivel, Chairman of India Knit Fair Association informed that 46th edition of India Knit Fair was organized in the backdrop of the current economic tensions between the US and China. The US has imposed more taxes on its imports from China. This is expected to make India a preferred market for sourcing by the US buyers. While predicting that the situation will be an advantage for the India knitwear sector, he opined that even if orders worth of `10,000 cr are placed, it will benefit our country. He had deliberated that a MOU was given recently to the Minister of Commerce & Industry, GOI, pointing various steps to be taken for the upliftment of the apparel industry.
AEPC in Association with IKFA had organised a Round Table Meet with various Associations discussed on Tamil Nadu New Integrated Textile Policy of 2019. Tirupur Textile Industry Members delivered their presentation for the development of our industry on 15th May, 2019 at India Knit Fair Complex, Tirupur during the 46th IIKF Fair.
In this 46th fair there were a lot of Knit Apparel collections noticed with Men’s, Women’s and Kid’s apparels. Apart from 100 per cent cotton knits, polyester poly cotton blends, wool, acrylic, nylon and spandex combinations were also showcased. Banana fibre cotton blended garments were also one of an innovative fibre fabrics showcased in this fair. Garments finished with Biowash, Silicon Wash, Enzyme Wash, Stone Wash, Acid Wash, Laser engraved Denim, Velour, Anti-Microbial finished garments were in display to attract the buyers.
Marketing through design development is one of the key concepts for buyers. This concept has been well received by the exporters now-a-days to attracting the buyers and buying agents. Buyers who visited this fair of the opinion that more of technical garments and new fashionable garments attracted them very much.
A total number of 40 leading exporters from Tirupur, Coimbatore, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ludhiana and Gurgaon have participated and displayed their products. They have expressed their satisfaction and have shown interest in participating in future events at Tirupur.
Dr. A Sakthivel, Chairman of IKFA & Vice-Chairman of AEPC and K Vasanthkumar, Executive Secretary, IKFA, Tirupur have presented the Best Exhibitor’s Awards and Appreciation Certificates to the following Exhibitors: Clifton Export, Tirupur got Best Exhibit award, Zuhana Exporters, Tirupur became First Runner-Up, Anandi Enterprises, Tirupur became Second Runner- Up and Vaishnavi Textiles, Ludhiana got Consolation Certificate.
Nowadays, major buyers are sourcing through buying houses and buying agents – who will play a vital role in sourcing. Buyers / buying agents have expressed their happiness and satisfied with the excellent design and collections displayed in the Fair. In total, 24 buyers from different countries and 127 Buying houses / agents have visited the fair. Most of the buying houses/ agents who have visited this fair representing their major buyers and brands have sourced for their requirements.
The three day event attracted new buyers from countries namely Saudi Arabia, USA, China, Poland, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, UK, etc. visited the fair. The participants have reported that they could get good business enquires more from the buying agents and overseas buyers and the expected business deal is around Rs. 300 cr. IKFA gratefully acknowledges the active participation of exhibitors, visiting buyers, buying agents and all stakeholders for the great success of this three day event.
