On 21st, October 2014, China International Textile Forum, which is initiated by CCCT and Hong Kong Yeh Shen Company, co-hosted by China National Cotton Group Corporation (CHNCC), and sponsored by Texhong Group kicked off in Shanghai. Mr.Jiang Hui, Chairman of CCCT, Mr. Zhang Xi’an, Secretary General of CCCT, Mr. Zhang Xianbin, Director of Economic and Trade Division of NDRC, President Wang Wanxiang of CHNCC, Mr. Song Jinbiao, Vice Chairman of Shanghai Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export, President of Indonesian textiles association, and President of Africa cotton textile industry association were present at the ceremony. Also present were over 200 delegates from US, UK, India, Japan, Egypt, Bulgaria, Hong Kong and Taiwan, etc.
The delegates analyzed the outlook of international market and regional cooperation, and have an in-depth discussion about the sustainability of textile industry. Chairman Jiang Hui from CCCT gave the keynote speech entitled Overview and Reflection of China’s Textile and Apparel Import and Export, in which he showed the trend and the characteristics for textile and apparel trade from January to August this year and reviewed the current situation. President of Texhong Group Hong Tianzhu also shared views in the integration of industry chains. Director Zhang Xianbin and Executive Assistant of CHNCC Zhang Fangchun respectively introduced the cotton policies and the supply/demand in 2014-2015. The President of Indonesia textile industry association introduced and compared Indonesian textile and apparel with other AESAN countries. Vice President of TAL operation division Zhu Dewei shared practices of how to increase retail sales and control inventory. In group discussion, President of Africa cotton textile industry association gave an overview about Africa’s cotton production, and textile and apparel industry. Delegates from Royal Bank of Scotland, PwC, Marks&Spencer Group, Li &Fung Group also discussed the impact of a weak global economy on apparel trade and domestic retail market. Adidas, New Wide Group, Shanghai Knitwear Corporation and Lectra Company proposed ways for China to leverage its strength and increase competitiveness after reviewing the textile and apparel trade in fast-growing emerging markets. Shanghai Hua Shen Trading Company, Aditya Birla Group, Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange and Perry Ellis International Corporation discussed about the global supply and demand of textile fabrics.
Though the meeting lasts for only one day, it generated heated discussions because of the substantive presentations given by over 20 speakers. China’s textile and apparel industry has entered in a new stage of development where the accelerated industry reshuffle and integration provide historic opportunities for companies. Companies should increase investment in innovation, raise productivity, increase financing activities through overseas market, and make full use of global resourcing so as to increase competitiveness in an all-round way, propelling for a sustainable development.
