**Mumbai**: The Twelfth Asian Textile Conference (ATEXCON) saw leaders from India, China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh advocating for cooperation to enhance growth in the textile sector. Significant emphasis was placed on leveraging individual country strengths and investing in sustainability and innovation to meet global market demands.
At the Twelfth Asian Textile Conference (ATEXCON) held in Mumbai, significant discussions unfolded surrounding the future of the textile and apparel industry in Asia. Industry experts and leaders gathered to emphasise the importance of collaboration among Asian giants such as India, China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, in a bid to unlock the vast potential of the global market. The conference, themed ‘Asia Steering Global Growth,’ was organised by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) and aimed at addressing the stagnation in growth that Asia’s textile industry has faced in recent years.
Rakesh Mehra, chairman of CITI, highlighted the distinct strengths of various Asian textile-exporting countries during a key session. He stated, “Asian textile and apparel exporting countries like India, China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Indonesia have distinct strengths. Despite the vast potential, Asia’s growth has stagnated in recent years. We must collaborate to utilise our strengths.” Highlights of the session included discussions on enhancing both the volume and value addition of textile products. Mehra indicated that India and China hold a strong base in raw material production, while nations such as Bangladesh and Vietnam are known for their garment manufacturing capability. Indonesia was recognised for excelling in innovation within the textile sector.
Bui Trung Thuong, trade counsellor and head of the trade office at the Embassy of Vietnam in New Delhi, echoed the need for cooperation between Vietnam and India. He noted that “We are more dependent for raw materials on China. India can supplement our requirement by exporting the raw material.” Thuong stressed the importance of diversifying the sourcing of cotton fibre, yarn, and fabric to support Vietnam’s garment industry. He suggested areas for collaboration could include textile dyeing and finishing processes, with an emphasis on the need for a joint venture in Vietnam. Additionally, he pointed to India’s technical expertise in wastewater treatment as a critical requirement for Vietnam’s textile sector.
Delving deeper into the future of the industry, Ashwin Chandran, deputy chairman of CITI, remarked on the Asian textile industry’s transformation in response to global changes. He stated that Asian textile companies are investing in sustainability, circularity, and innovation, indicating a clear shift in focus. Chandran advocated for increased investment in innovative technologies and digitisation, underscoring the need for the industry to adapt to the rapidly evolving global supply chain and collaborate effectively to be future-ready.
The conference not only focused on collaboration but also included sessions exploring various topics such as changing trade dynamics, technological disruptions, and the expanding role of technical textiles. As the event unfolded, dignitaries and delegates from leading Asian textile nations engaged in meaningful dialogues aimed at reshaping the industry’s future.
The discussions at ATEXCON reflect a concerted effort among Asian nations to redefine their roles within the textile sector and leverage their respective strengths for global growth. The insights from industry leaders seek to create pathways for increased cooperation and innovation in order to revitalise a sector that has shown promise but faced recent challenges.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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