The 6th edition of International Apparel and Textile Fair (IATF) has received tremendous support from apparel and textile manufacturers in the country and worldwide. The three-day event, taking place from 8th to 10th April 2017 was inaugurated by H.E Butti Saeed Al Ghandi, Second Vice-Chairman of the Dubai World Trade Centre on 8th April at 10:30 am at Zabeel Hall 1, Dubai World Trade Centre.
With more than 100 exhibitors from various countries around the world participating in the fair, IATF has once again proven its status as UAE’s exclusive sourcing fair for textiles and clothing. IATF attracts some of the world’s largest manufacturers of fabrics and leading print design studios. Exhibitors are mainly from Turkey, China, Italy, Spain, India, UK and many more.
The fair provides manufacturers and their agents the opportunity to showcase their products to the most influential buyers and designers in the UAE fashion sphere. The event further offers buyers, distributors and designers the opportunity to view a wide range of textiles from the most prestigious global mills.
The earlier editions of the event had attracted thousands of visitors a day, and the number increases each season. More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend the three-day event. As new exhibitors are added to the regular exhibitors of the fair, thus, visitors of previous editions together with new visitors attend the event to view the new collections.
International industry professionals from prestigious organizations and companies namely Wrap Compliance, Right Source, Sin – Style Innovation and Heliozid Oce Emirates will be speaking in a series of talks during these three days. Relevant information on future trends, designs and innovations will be provided to visitors by the speakers, in addition to being introduced to Worldwide Accredited Responsible Production (WRAP). Speakers from local institutions of Manipal University, Esmod Fashion Institute, Amity University and American University in the Emirates will also provide the audience further information on various topics about the fashion industry.
A show such as International Apparel and Textile Fair is much needed in the region as the UAE continues to see robust growth in the clothing and textile industry. The last few years had shown remarkable increase in retail sales on apparel, making it as one of the most attractive sectors in the UAE. The apparel industry in the region provides opportunity for international retailers to expand in the UAE. The country is also the world’s 11th biggest clothing importer with $4 billion import value. Next to London, Dubai is the second global city having the highest percentage (55%) of international retailers.
IATF’s Show Director, Mr. Dilip Nihalani continuously focuses in making the show bigger and diversified by attracting more exhibitors with different product lines every edition to cope with the growing demands of the apparel and textile market in the region. Mr. Nihalani was quoted saying “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, but the whole of the MENA region. We are glad with the support that we are getting ever since we had started this show in 2014. “
Meanwhile, International Apparel and Textile Fair 7th edition is set to take place on 1st, 2nd and 3rd November 2017 for its Autumn/Winter edition.
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