ITMA Asia CITME 2014: 15 per cent arger than 2012 event

The fourth combined ITMA ASIA CITME exhibition is gearing up for another mega showcase in Shanghai, China. To be held from 16-20 June 2014 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the show will gross 152,200 sq m in 13 halls, 15 per cent larger than the last edition in 2012. Till date, the event has attracted participation of more than 1,350 textile machinery manufacturers from 27 countries and regions.

Taking up the largest exhibition area are the Chinese exhibitors, booking slightly over 66 per cent. European manufacturers, with more than 22 per cent of the total exhibition space, are the next biggest contingent.

Charles Beauduin, President, CEMATEX, said, "Textile machinery manufacturers are still buoyant about the Asian market, particularly China. Investments in cost-effective technology to help the textile and garment industry stay ahead of the competition are still strong. As such, our combined show will continue to be the unrivalled marketing platform for textile machinery manufacturers tapping into the vibrant China market."

Wang Shutian, President, China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA), explained: "Interest in the combined show remains extremely strong, especially from Chinese textile machinery manufacturers. As Chinas textile industry continues its transformation, the demand for advanced machinery and technology is on the rise. This is also reflected in the current uptrend in textile machinery trade."

According to a statistics revealed by the General Administration of Customs, Chinas exports of textiles and garments amounted to $26 billion in 2013. This is an increase of 7 per cent over the same period last year. China continues to focus on upgrading technology and skills to reach an international level for textile and other industry sectors, and this is one of the priorities under the governments 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015).

Extensive visitor promotion: ITMA ASIA CITME 2014 is being promoted throughout Asia by means of numerous roadshows and visits to trade associations. Recent roadshows in India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey and Vietnam have drawn very positive responses from the local industries, and delegations and groups of visitors from key textile manufacturing economies have indicated their intention to visit the showcase.

In China, an intensive roadshow covering Fujian, Guangdong, Shandong and Zhejiang provinces has been currently underway. The ITMA ASIA CITME show continues to be the unrivalled marketing platform for textile machinery manufacturers seeking to tap the China market. According to a forecast by the Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the global market for textile machinery is poised to reach $22.9 billion by 2017. The market is defined by a marked shift in demand from traditional machinery to more advanced technologies. Fuelled by increasing investments in textile production, the Asia Pacific region remains the greatest and fastest growing market for textile machinery.

The Chinese textile industry invested CNY779.3 billion in fixed assets in 2012. This is in line with one of the priorities under the China governments 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) to raise technological advancement and improvement in craftsmanship and equipment to an international level for the textile and other industry sectors. As such, the development and application of high-technology fibres and environment-friendly technologies will be the focus of Chinas textile industry in the coming years. Chinas domestic demand for textiles and garments is expected to maintain a steady growth rate in view of the development of the national economy, progress in urbanisation and rising income levels. This will continue to be the main driving force for the development of the textile industry.

Charles Beauduin, President, CEMATEX, which owns the ITMA and ITMA ASIA exhibitions, said, "The opportunities presented by Chinas huge marke