"The recently concluded Autumn Edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics marked the 25th year of the launch of this trading platform. With 89,662 visitors from over 120 countries and regions, the exhibition proved to be an ideal platform for them to meet global partners. “Exhibitors use this platform to unveil their latest collections,” said Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager, Messe Frankfurt |(HK). "This in turn attracts more visitors from all over the world. At this edition, we welcomed trade buyers from more countries and regions. The fair’s diverse network of suppliers and buyers ensured definite business for its visitors,” Wen added."

The recently concluded Autumn Edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics marked the 25th year of the launch of this trading platform. With 89,662 visitors from over 120 countries and regions, the exhibition proved to be an ideal platform for them to meet global partners. “Exhibitors use this platform to unveil their latest collections,” said Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager, Messe Frankfurt |(HK). "This in turn attracts more visitors from all over the world. At this edition, we welcomed trade buyers from more countries and regions. The fair’s diverse network of suppliers and buyers ensured definite business for its visitors,” Wen added.

The fair was held concurrently with Yarn Expo Autumn, CHIC and PH Value from 25 – 27 September, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). It was co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.

A one-stop shop for apparel products

Over 4,422 exhibitors from 33 countries and regions exhibited at 2019 edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics. These also included buyers participating for the last 10 to 20 years. The fair’s product zones, such as Functional Lab and Beyond Denim, offered an easier way to its exhibitors to meet their target buyers.

Roundtable meeting with industry leaders of different countries

For the first time during the inaugural day at Intertextile Shanghai, a roundtable meeting consisted of association and trade body heads from various countries. Zhao Hong, China Textile magazine, who moderated the roundtable conference, explained “The theme of this roundtable meeting is sharing and getting insights on the future of apparel and textile industry, sustainability and opening to the possibilities of international cooperation.”

It is interesting to note here that this comes at a time when China is grappling with an ongoing trade war situation with the US. China seems to be opening up and looking for more cooperation in the region to keep its position strong and working out with more and more countries through its existing initiatives like One Belt One Road (OBOR).

While making a detailed presentation about China’s textile and apparel industry, its technology, R&D and designing drive , Xu Yingxin, VP, CNTAC and President, The Sub-Council of Textile Industry CCPIT, expressed deep concern about the China-US escalating trade conflict over last one year. The USA is China’s biggest importer with a 38 per cent share through wide ranging products.

After 12 rounds of negotiations already concluded between the world’s two largest economies, the friction is likely to impact exports of China if the conflict continues. Small and medium enterprises are more vulnerable, resulting in unemployment and dwindling investments in the textile industry.

Summarizing the situation, he said, “We are seeing an era of uncertainty where we will have to face a Sino-US trade war and we have to be very patient and resistant, but we are simultaneously opening to all markets and we believe in cross country development. “

Though a few of the association heads representing their respective countries were upfront in admitting that the trade war between the two countries is helping them to grow in exports to the US, at the same time, it was widely agreed that the conflict is not good as it is bringing in a lot of uncertainties in global trade and should soon be resolved. Also OBOR is a great initiative and will help all the countries who are participating in it with logistic solutions, lowering prices. It will bring in a lot of growth in global trade.

Country pavilions forecast future trends

The fair also organised country pavilions for visitors interested in more Asia-Pacific trend forecasts. The Japan pavilion featured many Japanese companies which brought the global industry together. One such exhibitor included Asahi Kasei Corporation which was represented by Kiichiro Kobayashi the Manager of its Fibres & Textiles Marketing Dept. Kobayashi views the fair as “the best platform to access the Chinese market as it offers its buyers an opportunity to partner with some of these visitors later.”

The Korea Pavilion achieved remarkable business results just from the first two days of the fair, thanks to their high quality products. “This fair provided us with an opportunity to introduce Korean textiles to an international market effectively,” said Young Sang Yoon, Vice President of Korea Fashion Textile Association, Korea.

Leading European and US trading companies at the sustainability zone: The All about Sustainability Zone featured Testex AG, an independent Swiss testing and certification organisation which was the official representative for OEKO-TEX. Led by its group CMO, Marc Sidller, the company has been hosting a pavilion for the last five years. “This year, we had the opportunity to interact with some of the best European and US trading companies and brands,” Sidler reveals

SalonEurope: The SalonEurope zone also recorded a good visitor turnout. Paul Alger, International  Business Director, UK Fashion & Textile Association noted, “We were extremely happy with the visitor turnout.”

Premium Wool Zone: The Premium Wool Zone was attended by companies like Dormeuil who have been exhibiting in this zone for the last 10 years. “China is a very important for us and we want it to become our top market in the next few years,” noted Aline Galimberti, the Product Manager of the France-based company.

Verve for Design: The Verve for Design zone was a great hit with visitors thronging the stall on the first day itself. Joe Moreline, Sales, Camilla Frances revealed, “We had buyers mostly from China and Australia. We were surprised to see some of our existing Australian customers too.”

The fringe programme included Asia’s first ever Fashionsustain conference; a round-table meeting focused on international trade and sustainability; the Intertextile Consumer & Lifestyle Trend, themed FutureCast 2021: New Consumer Rules; the Smart Factory Forum, a panel discussion focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications and trends; and an industry crossover with Messe Frankfurt’s new fair Licensing China which included a licensing seminar and display area.

The key to business in China is a face-to-face interaction with the textile industry. Intertextile Shanghai’s 25 years of experience have made this a trusted platform, for both exhibitors and trade buyers in China, to trade textiles.