From next year, India International garment fair (IIGF), India’s biggest apparel sourcing event, will be held at Apparel House (headquarters of AEPC at Gurgoan)!
A few days ago, a meeting was held between representatives of Apparel House Exporters Associations (AHEA) and the Ministry of Textiles on this issue, following which AHEA informed that the MoT has agreed to the former’s proposal for holding IIGF at the Apparel House from next year.
Since the minutes of the meetings are the still awaited, this cannot be officially confirmed. However, Apparel Resources 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 has, 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 Exporters will also be able to participate in these exhibitions now.
Also Read – AHEA calls on exporters to help revive Apparel House
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 for the next 10 years starting 2017 free of cost. Their other demand includes 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, because buyers often couldn’t reach the 2nd floor and finish all their requirements at the ground and first floors.
Also Read – New AEPC Chairman initiates fresh talks for solutions to Apparel House deadlock
