Like every year, India International Garment Fair (IIGF) once again hosted its mega bi-annual event at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida on 16th, 17th and 18th January. Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani released a fair directory at the 62nd edition of the mega event on Day-1. The fair showcased autumn/ winter 2019-20 collections during the three day affair and hosted a number of manufacturers who displayed products including high quality fashion wear in women, men and Kids segment besides bags, fashion accessories, etc. for a slew of buyers.
The IIGF takes pride in providing world- class business platform to Indian exporters fraternity and meeting sourcing requirements of major global buyers in readymade garments and fashion accessories.
The IIGF promotes international trade through its apparel trade body, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). AEPC and IGFA organize two major events every year in the month of January and July.
The events are aimed at helping exporters from India showcase their latest designs and apparels for the upcoming season. Importers from all across the world are invited to participate in this event. Every year, buyers from various countries visit the fair and do business worth millions of US dollars.
However, manufacturers this year complained of phenomenally less number of buyers owing to reasons like, the timing of the event, season, etc.
“Its been good but could have been better. The number of buyers has reduced from previous year. The timing for the show this year is very wrong because there are a lot of overseas shows also going on and majority of European buyers are busy with them. Since India caters to European markets, this is affecting the event this time. Also, there have been phenomenal changes in the buyers’ behaviour. Earlier, they used to buy in huge bulks but now they have spread the numbers in lots of styles. They are trying to play safe now.” – Anbhay Sadh, CEO, Nehklank Textiles
Talking about the US-China trade war, Sadh said that this will affect India in a very positive manner now that China is in bad books of US.
The event also facilitated many manufacturers with mementos. The IIGF has been the stepping stone to success for most of the exporters in India and though many of the big ones do not participate now, they owe their growth to this platform.
Today, IIGF represents creativity, smaller orders and all things that India is known for. More than 200 garment manufacturers-cum-exporters participated in the fair that spread in a gross area of approx. 10,368 sq.mtrs. The exhibitors in four categories including womenswear, menswear, kidswear and fashion accessories, put up their stalls for buyers from different countries. The next IIGF showcasing spring/ summer collection by manufacturers will be held on 4th, 5th and 6th July, 2019.
