The Australian International Sourcing Fair was held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Sydney, Australia for the first time from 22 – 24 Nov. 2011. About 3,000 trade visitors, including importers, wholesalers, department stores and retail chains attended the Fair. The Australian International Sourcing Fair is all about making business easier. It connects manufacturers to wholesalers; buyers to sellers and importantly promotes a diverse array of exciting product options from fashion to homewares from across the globe. Co-located with China Chamber of Clothing and Textiles, exhibitor numbers are expected to exceed 350 with over eleven countries represented.
Australia is emerging as an important market for Indian textiles and handicrafts. To capitalize on this untapped bilateral trade potential, as many as 60 Indian businesses showcased some of the finest wares at Fair. The ‘Brand India’ was the major supporter of the event this year. “Brand India’s aim is to introduce or re-acquaint the Australian textile, fashion and design industry to what India has to offer in terms of creativity, quality, variety, Flexibility and timeliness,” said Mr. Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director, The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council of India (TEXPROCIL). According to the Kochi-based Coir Board Chairman, Mr. V.S. Vijayaraghavan, who participated at the Fair : “environment-friendly coir products are soon expected to adorn the nation’s consulate office in Australia, as part of the Coir Board’s efforts at product promotion in the Australian continent. This decision followed a discussion between him and the Indian Consulate General Ms Anitha Nayar, when she visited the Coir Board stall at the Fair. Mr Vijayaraghavan, said the assurance from the Consulate General was bound to get greater exposure to the coir products in Australia, in the context of that country’s growing affinity towards environment-friendly natural products. Australia currently occupies the eighth position in terms of export of coir products from India. He said a good number of coir products that were on display at the fair had already been shifted to the consulate office and more products would be supplied, subject to space availability.
The Australian International Sourcing Fair is also seen as a catalyst for raising the profile of Indian merchandise to Australian buyers. Major departmental stores like Kmart, Myer and Target are already sourcing from India. Since Australia imports handicrafts from various other sources, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) will now aggressively market by participating in various trade shows like this to boost exports,” said EPCH Executive Director, Mr. Rakesh Kumar.
The Fair also gave Australian designers an opportunity to put their product to major retailers. There has been special interest on a wide range of jute bags and khadi products from a number of Australian buyers. Handloom mats, coir pith, tufted mats, coir geo-textiles, handloom mattings, power loom mats, power loom mattings, coir fibre and coir rugs are the major items of export to Australia.
Indian exhibitors included : Texprocil – Zen Linen International Private Ltd; Mauria Udyog Ltd; Ess Kay Enterprises; The Handicrafts & Handlooms Export Corpn Of India Ltd; Ascent Textiles; Aryavart; Axis Hometex; Gomathy International; Govindji Trikamdas & Co; Harisons & Harlaj Ltd; Harisons & Harlaj Ltd; Laissez Faire Associates; Mittal International; Myra Enterprises Pvt Ltd; Ocean De Fashion; One To One; Palsons Overseas; Pratibha Syntex Limited; Raymond Ltd; Raymond Uco Denim Pvt. Ltd; Raymond Zambaiti Ltd;
Sri Berry Agro Industries; Texworld; Vemb Lifestyle Pvt Ltd; Berry Impex Industries; New Radha Industries. National Jute Board- Paramount Textile Mills (P) Ltd; Regal Exports. ITPO – Venttura Garments; Aspara Silks; Weave N Prints; Veda Commercial Pvt. Ltd; Tower Leather Pvt. Ltd; Narasaiah Kondra B/O K. Gangadhar; Mangariya Narendra Gabhubhai; Siju Arjan Vishram; Vikas Kaistha; Daya Chand Sheak Abdul Salim, Vill Purathan Chowk; Sahiba Silk Saree; Rehan Ahmed, Indra Chowk. Export Promotion Council For Handicrafts – Bhumi International; John Arts Emporium; Omx; Naresh Enterprises; Jumbo International; Ishwar Overseas Services; C.C Creations Pvt. Ltd; Tegh International; JK International (I); Kapany Deco; Classic Coir Factory. Others : Handloom Export Promotion Council; Masbee Services; Ligma Leather Art.
