The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) organised “India’s Largest Apparel Trade Show – The 67th National Garment Fair” from 16th July to 19th July 2018 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, NSE Complex, Goregaon (East), Mumbai. The fair was inaugurated on 16th July 2018 by Chief Guest Kishore Biyani, Group CEO –Future Group.
Rahul Mehta, President, The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (Ex- Chairman, International Apparel Federation), stated that this B2B Fair was spread over approx. 6,50,000 sqr. ft, covering all the halls at the Bombay Exhibition Centre. There were 916 exhibitors in 986 Stalls displaying 1,087 brands. This was India’s largest ever garment fair held so far. The fair displayed leading brands in men’s wear, women’s wear, kid’s wear and accessories. CMAI had also published the ‘Show Directory’, popularly known as the fair guide.
67th National Garment Fair was spread over four days instead of the normal three days fair. For the first time, the July edition of the National Garment Fair was a ‘No Decoration Fair’. This B2B Fair was opened only to trade visitors & garment retailers. The business networking sessions between the exhibitors and agents & distributors, high street retailers, national chain stores & e-commerce companies also held this year. This year CMAI also celebrated 25 years of association with Bombay Exhibition Centre.
Indian apparel market
According to Rahul Mehta, President –CMAI, India’s domestic apparel market was estimated at $67 bn in 2017 which had grown at a CAGR of 10 per cent since 2005. Indian domestic market had performed better than the largest consumption regions like the US, the EU and Japan, where depressed economic conditions led to lower demand and growth. Due to presence of strong fundamentals, the domestic apparel market size of India is expected to grow at 11-12 per cent CAGR and reach about $160 bn by 2025.
The domestic market size is dominated by ready-to-wear category, market size ~$56bn, with 84 per cent share, which is further growing at a CAGR of 10-11 per cent. The ready-to-stitch market is also gaining momentum as more and more men who have been buying premium or luxury readymade clothing brands want to wear a shirt or a trouser that fits them perfectly. The ready-to-stitch market currently at $11 bn is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7 per cent and reach about $20 bn in 2025.
Recent plastic ban in Maharashtra
On the recent Plastic Ban announced by the Govt. of Maharashtra, Mehta welcomed the Clarification issued by the Environment Department allowing the use of PP Bags for wrapping the garments at the manufacturing stage under a mechanism for the collection of the used PP bags through a buy-back mechanism and ensure the recycling and final disposal of the collected PP bags.
Mehta once again reiterated CMAI’s commitment, as a responsible organisation, to protect the environment and assured that their members will work hand in hand with the State Govt. & Local Authorities and ensure that all used PP/Plastic Bags are responsibly recycled and disposed off.
Decline in garment exports
Premal Udani, Chairman-Board of Trustees of CMAI stated that apparel exports had taken a beating from October 2017 onwards. The introduction of GST had resulted in non-refund of several embedded taxes. Consequently apparel exports for the financial year 2017-18 declined by 4 per cent to 16.7 bn from 17.38 bn in the previous year.
The downturn continues in FY 2018-19 with a month-on-month decline of 10 per cent. The Government seized of the matter and has assured that embedded taxes will be refunded through the drawback route.
CMAI’s First Apparel Training Center at Asmeeta Texpa, Bhiwandi CMAI is setting up their First Apparel Training Centre, spread over 8,000 sq. feet, at Asmeeta Texpa, Kalyan Bhiwandi Industrial Area. The Centre shall be operational by the end of this year. This full-fledged Training Centre shall offer courses for sewing machine operators – basic & advanced, supervisors, quality checkers & finishers & packers and will train up to 4,000 trainees per year.
A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between Govt. of Gujarat, GIDC and CMAI was signed on 10th July 2018 where CMAI shall disseminate information amongst its members promoting Gujarat as a destination for investments.
