IFF is known to set trends for the business of fashion industry in India and this year too at IFF ‘09, the gathering had an opportunity to learn more about Sri Lanka and business collaborations that could well work out between both the countries (India and Sri Lanka).
Ajith Dias, chairman, Joint Apparel Association Forum, Sri Lanka, suggested that India as a textile hub needs to make best use of the modern factories based in Sri Lanka for manufacturing of various brands not only because Sri Lanka had some of the most modern factories but also because of availability of competent labour force.
Dias explained that the biggest export earner for Sri Lanka were the export of garments. Educating the audience in the capabilities of Sri Lanka as the most important ‘lingerie’ manufacturers of the world, Dias mentioned that Sri Lanka is known as the lingerie capital of the world and one out of every four products of Victoria Secret across the world were manufactured from Sri Lanka. Apart from manufacturing of garments, Sri Lanka also offers very good scope for various facilities related to ‘washes’.
Premal Udani, chairman, Institute of Apparel Management, also a member of Apparel Exporters Promotion Council, spoke on the opportunities co-existing between both the countries.
— IndiaRetailing Bureau, Mumbai
