Asian textile giants such as India, China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and others must focus on collaboration to unlock the vast potential of the global textile and apparel market. Industry experts and leaders from India and other Asian countries emphasised the need to redefine their roles in the global market during the Twelfth Asian Textile Conference (ATEXCON), held in Mumbai today.

Themed ‘Asia Steering Global Growth’, the ATEXCON conference was organised by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI). Rakesh Mehra, chairman of CITI, said during the theme session, “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.”

He added that Asian nations must focus on increasing both volume and value addition. India and China have a strong textile industry base for producing raw materials for downstream sectors. Bangladesh and Vietnam possess expertise in garment manufacturing, while Indonesia excels in innovation and technical textiles.

Mehra emphasised that Asia could overcome stagnation and embark on a path of growth if textile-producing countries unlock their full potential.

Bui Trung Thuong, trade counsellor and head of the trade office at the Embassy of Vietnam in New Delhi, said that Vietnam and India have significant potential for collaboration. His country is seeking to diversify its sourcing of cotton fibre, yarn and fabric. He stated, “We are more dependent for raw materials on China. India can supplement our requirement by exporting the raw material.” The Vietnamese diplomat noted that Vietnam has a strong base and a competitive workforce in the garment industry and requires cotton fibre, yarn and fabric from other countries.

Thuong suggested collaboration in the areas of innovation, textile dyeing and finishing, and wastewater management. He proposed setting up a joint venture in Vietnam for textile dyeing and finishing processes. India, he said, possesses the expertise and technology for wastewater treatment, which his country urgently needs. Vietnam is also seeking a textile innovation fund that could support the textile industries of both nations.

Ashwin Chandran, deputy chairman of CITI, said that the Asian textile industry is redefining itself to steer global growth through innovation and a focus on sustainability. Asian textile companies are investing in sustainability, circularity and innovation in response to the changing global landscape. He stressed the need for investment in innovative technologies and digitisation for transformation. The global supply chain is rapidly evolving and Indian industry can grow through a collaborative approach and become future-ready.

The conference was attended by dignitaries and delegates from India and other leading Asian textile nations. The theme session was followed by additional sessions on Strategies for Changing Landscape – Trade Dynamics & Policy Shifts, Technological Disruptions & Digitization, Expanding Role of Technical Textiles, and Future of Fashion and Consumer Trends.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)