Apparel exports from Sri Lanka to the United States have reduced by great volumes and with the quota system ending in 2005 this would be a major problem.

Chairman, Summit Corporation, Hiran Jayasinghe who is based in USA said that according to 'Trade data on US imports and exports of textiles and apparel major shippers report' dated August 2003, China shows a improvement of 40.36% and India 13.23%. "Sri Lanka's loss for this year was 4.95%."

The value of Apparel exports was 839 million dollars last year. This year it is only US $ 457 million.

He said that this is mainly due to lack of promotions from Sri Lanka. "China is doing major promotions in the garment trade and even poorer countries such as Bangladesh too are participating in major trade shows."

In contrast over 30 exhibitors each from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan have been attending this event regularly. He said that at the last exhibition in Las Vegas a Bangladesh buyer was able to secure a trade deal to the value of US 30 million dollars. "This is only one instance."

He said that in contrast Sri Lanka is very lethargic in this area and have never taken part in the world's largest Apparel exhibition MAGIC in USA since its inception 71 years ago. He said that MAGIC is the only Apparel Trade show accepted by US Department of Commerce and has over 85,000 buyers with buying power of US$ 85 Billion and 79% of them leave Purchase Orders.

He said that in 2002 China had taken nine stalls and for the last exhibition in August this number has increased to 230. "For the next February Trade show there will be 600 stalls to be taken by China."

He said any company could take part in this exhibition and they are sure to find buyers since 80% of the buyers in USA are top decision-makers of their companies.

"We have over 3,250 exhibitors who produce over 5,500 well-known brands name apparel products. The MAGIC Marketplace is an international apparel community and attracts over 850,000 industry professional twice a year creating this phenomenal marketplace. We fill the two largest convention centres in Las Vegas. Our show in general is over 850,000 square feet; we have over 3,200 exhibitors. Our buying community has grown to over 85,000 from 80 countries. They come to Las Vegas for the MAGIC Show," he said.

He said that they could be contacted on their e-mail Hiran@MAGICtradeshow.us

The MAGIC Show is the largest and most comprehensive apparel market in the world, attracting an average of 80,000 attendees, more than 2,800 exhibitors and 21,000 product lines. The Show includes products for men, women and children, as well as a line highlighting the cutting edge of fashion trends. All fees are waived for international attendees who arrive with a delegation. Free educational seminars are offered on business topics including retailing, forecasting and marketing, trends, colour and visual merchandising and technology.

USA is Sri Lanka's largest export market which absorbed US$ 1.9 Billion worth of exports that accounted for 41% Sri Lanka's total exports in 2001. Sri Lanka's key exports to USA in 2001 were garments (81% of exports to USA amounting to US$ 1.5 billion), leather articles/bags nearly 5% of exports amounting to US $ 105 million and rubber 3% exports amounting to US $69 million.

For garments, USA is the key market accounting for 64% of Sri Lanka garments exported in 2001. Sri Lanka is the 16th largest garment supplier to USA accounting for 2.7% of US garments imports from the world. Currently, the USA is the 5th largest import source for Sri Lanka accounting for 4.9% of overall imports to the country. Key import items from the US are Wheat, Mesline and Tobacco.