China's International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics and Accessories

Intertextile Beijing, China's International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics and Accessories, will move to the Beijing Exhibition Center in March 2003 to accomodate the growing number of exhibitors. China is becoming a more attractive destination for overseas exporters as the reduction of import tariffs continues and new trademark laws are passed, making it easier for foreign firms to protect their brands.

Apparel and accessories exports increased by 4.3 percent to US$16.88 billion and clothing sales increased by 10 percent in the first half of 2002. China's GDP grew almost eight percent during this time, to reach US$550 billion.

Beijing is an important location for the textile trade as it is central to China's north and north-eastern region, which remains a strong importer of a variety of textile products. Wool is especially popular for the manufacture of garments for export, as well as for garments sold on the domestic market, which are in high demand during the region's extremely cold winter season. China's import of wool increased an incredible 136 percent to 21,561 tons in January-March 2002 year-on-year.

Over 300 companies exhibited at the event in 2002, an increase of 40 percent from the previous year. Forty-five percent of exhibitors came from outside mainland China, including pavilions from Italy, India, Taiwan and China.More than 13,000 visitors from 47 countries and regions came to see the latest apparel fabrics, fibers/yarns, accessories, textile-related printing and computer technology (CAD/CAM/CIM), design and styling, trade publications and e-commerce.

Intertextile Beijing will be held March 17-19, 2003 at the Beijing Exhibition Centre. The fair is organized by Messe Frankfurt, the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT and the China Textile Information Center (CTIC).

October 2002