Apparel April 2019 Apparel May 2019 issue | Page 10

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Dear Friends, Life moves on, Times move on, Markets move… And so does CMAI. After close to 40 years at our Mahalaxmi Chambers Office, CMAI is moving to its New Office at Prabhadevi—and the move is significant in more ways than one. It brings CMAI much closer to its main constituency in Mumbai, the Western Suburbs; it brings all the various offices under one roof, and, for the first time, enables it to offer additional facilities to its Members. And so, by the time you receive this issue, CMAI will have a brand new Address: 901, Naman Midtown, ‘A’ Wing, Behind Kamgar Kala Kendra, Senapati Bapat Marg, Prabhadevi (West), Mumbai 400 013. The National Garment Fairs—NGFs as they are generally known— continue its incredible popularity, and as I write this piece, I am told the July Edition is already sold out! Given the total lack of alternative spaces in Mumbai, the Fair Sub-Committee will really have to think out of the box to try and figure out how to meet the ever increasing demand for participation. Splitting the product categories, capping the maximum space allowable, moving out of Mumbai… All ideas which appear unthinkable today, but may need to be considered going forward! The 63rd India International Garment Fair—organised by IGFA, of which CMAI is a member, and which is an equally critical Fair for Indian Exporters as the NGF is for the Domestic Brands—will be held on the 4th, 5th, and 6th July, and the response too seems very encouraging—perhaps indicative of the optimism for the turnaround for Indian Exports. But an interesting add-on this time is the simultaneous holding of the Source Zone Fair at the same venue (India Exposition Mart, Greater Noida). Close to 75–100 participants will be showcasing Garment Accessories, Trims, Fabrics, etc. to a near captive audience of over 300 exhibitors and 1,000 visitors representing the best of International Buyers. So if you are in the business of supplying to the Garment Industry, and especially the export market—this is the place to be in! On the Domestic Market front, April was not too exciting a month, and most pundits are pessimistic about the markets coming around till after the new Government settles in. Fingers crossed! Exports are continuing to show a positive trend, and finally, finally, I can stick my neck out and project a growth of close to 10% in the coming fiscal. RAHUL MEHTA Help us improve Apparel. Please send in your suggestions and feedback to [email protected] 4 I APPAREL I May 2019