From next year (2017), India International Garment Fair (IIGF), India’s biggest apparel sourcing event, will be held in Apparel House – headquarters of AEPC in Gurgaon!
A few days ago, a meeting was held between representatives of Apparel House Exporters Associations (AHEA) and the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) on this issue, following which AHEA informed that the MoT has agreed to the former’s proposal for holding IIGF in the Apparel House from next year. Since the minutes of the meetings are still awaited, this cannot be officially confirmed. However, Apparel Online had the privilege of taking a look at a mail regarding this, circulated by the AHEA in the industry.
Some of the exporters, especially participants of IIGF, are of the opinion that this is a very big move for the Indian export community. AHEA members had been striving towards this goal for the past several years now, and have hence thanked the MoT profusely for this latest decision. Now participants will be able to save a lot of money at the IIGF, since Apparel House will be much cheaper to rent and this centre will also eventually become the hub for Buyer-Sellers Meet (BSM) throughout the year. Many small and medium level exporters will also be able to participate in these exhibitions now.
Exporters at Apparel House have sought a waiver on the maintenance charges for the past period since their allotment till December 2016.
Meanwhile, exporters are concerned about their showrooms at Apparel House, as these have been lying vacant for years. They have, hence, sought a waiver on the maintenance charges for the past period since their allotment till December 2016. They have also asked for renewal of the lease period ‘free of cost’ for the next 10 years, starting 2017. Their other demands include allotment of a stall/booth on the ground floor during fairs and exhibitions at nominal charges to all showroom holders who have their showrooms on or above the 2nd floor. This is because the buyers often do not visit the 2nd floor, and finish of with all their requirements on the ground and first floors only.
