Dubai hosted the 6th edition of International Apparel and Textile Fair (IATF) from 8th to 10 April 2017… Organized by Nihalani Events Management, IATF 2017 showcased Spring/Summer 2018 pre-collections and Autumn/Winter 2018 highlights. There were more than 100 exhibitors from various countries around the world participating in the fair, and out of the total, 17 were Indian apparel/textiles manufacturers/exporters.
As per the organizers of the show, 2,980 buyers visited the fair and were mainly from GCC countries, including the buyers for different brands of Apparel Group and Landmark Group which are two of the biggest companies dealing with garments in the UAE. Other buyers came all the way from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, India, China, other Asian countries, African countries, Europe, the US and Australia.
“We are proud to continuously bring in and introduce prominent manufacturers from all across the globe to the clothing and textile buyers and retailers not only here in Dubai or the UAE or the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), but the whole of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa region). We are glad with the support that we are getting ever since we had started this show in 2014,” said Dilip Nihalani, IATF’s Show Director.
Apparel Resources talked to some of Indian apparel exporters and most of them were not satisfied with the fair. Deep Agarwal, Director of Kishorilal Shyamsunder, Kolkata said, “It was basically like a B2C fair, while we participated as organizers of the fair assured us visitation from wholesalers and brands.” It was the first attempt of the company to explore Dubai market and Deep observed that heavy embroidery stuff will be a hit product there.
Another Indian textile company, Divyam Embroideries, Surat displayed its embroidered fabric which was appreciated by the visitors. Yash Jain, Director of the company told Apparel Resources, “Fair was (just) okay as we were expecting more promising buyers there.”
Also Read – India’s SRTEPC to organize textile exhibition in Dubai
UAE is world’s 11th biggest apparel importer with more than US $ 4 billion import value. Next to London, Dubai is the second global city having the highest percentage (55%) of international retailers and according to a report by 2018, Dubai will replace Paris as the third most popular and must-visit tourist destination in the world.
