Garment manufacturing in Asia has always been geared to the Western markets and with these retails searching for the cheapest destinations to produce, new destinations are coming up, particularly in Africa. |
In fact, African nations are really making diligent efforts to up their game in garment manufacturing and consequently exports. Countries like Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Lesotho, to name a few, are proactive in creating infrastructure and a conducive environment for garmenting, which strongly puts these nations on the radar of both the retailers and manufacturers from around the globe. |
If one looks at the trend closely and analyses the demographics of the companies that are investing, it is found that primarily companies from China are putting up manufacturing units across the region, and that too quite aggressively. Companies from other countries, including India are making investment, but they are few and far apart. |
Chinese companies are intelligently mitigating the chances of losing out on business, as trade barriers being imposed by the US make it difficult to be competitive out of China. Also, the rising cost of labour and infrastructure in China has compelled companies to seek greener pastures. |
With most of Africa still in the criteria of third world nations and enjoying trade benefits to both the US and Europe, it is really a smart move by China to foresee and act today in anticipation of challenges, that are only going to increase. |
In fact, Chinese are looking for investment opportunities in many countries, because of different reasons – Vietnam for their products and ease of business; Myanmar for wage advantage and Bangladesh for huge garmenting infrastructure and trained workforce. |
India, however is not on the radar for garment manufacturing by any country, not even by the local companies. This is despite the country’s good infrastructure for apparel manufacturing and a huge pool of trainable workers. Not to forget, an integrated supply chain with a mature textile industry for back end support. |
Effort has to be made to present a new India, which is offering many reasons to set up a unit in the country. The only way to do that is to bring in delegations of manufacturers into the country to experience the change and see the opportunities first-hand. With many states giving special incentives for garment manufacturing and new code for labour laws in review, there is much to offer. |
Another impetus to invest in manufacturing in India is the growing retail segment which promises to be a US $ 115 billion business by 2026. The companies which can create the right infrastructure to manufacture fashion to feed the increasing demand generated by a young consumer base that is spread out pan-India and even in small Tier-3 cities, will be a part of the explosive retail growth story. |
In which other country of the world, except China which is not interested to invest in garment manufacturing, can a company find the combination of a conducive manufacturing environment with backward linkages and also a growing market, all rolled into one! |
Apparel Sourcing Week realises this potential and sets the stage for collaborations and partnerships that are channelised towards the future needs. With 100 garment manufacturers and every significant Indian retailer on board as visitors for ASW 2020, the opportunities are immense. Supported by proactive networking forums and knowledge sharing platforms, the upcoming show is the right place for exploring the extensive future probabilities. |
Apparel Sourcing Week 2023, a three-day Sourcing Show not only provides the Asian manufacturers a platform to showcase their products & manufacturing capabilities to the Brands & Retailers from all over the world including India, but also extends them a chance to attend the multiple seminars (headed by industry experts), workshops, open-house discussions and networking opportunities organised during these three days, which would help the manufacturers get a better understanding of Indian and International Retail and evolving dynamics of sourcing in various markets and retail formats.
Apparel Resources is well known for its benchmark publications – Apparel Online, FashTech Journal and Resource Guide published from India, Bangladesh and Vietnam. These publications have been around in the industry for over 35 years, supporting, guiding and standing by garment exporters and the retail industry globally, providing them a platform to source better