Tri Star Apparel Exports and Hidramani have confirmed
their participation from Sri Lanka at the largest
apparel trade show "Magic" to be held
in February 2004 in Las Vegas.
It is a bi-annual show which has
continued for 71 years and it attracts over
85,000 buyers for each show with over 7,000
booths covering 800,000 square feet of floor
space.
This show with a potential selling
power of over 64 billion dollars attracts the
top 37 buying clusters in North America, said
President, SUMMIT Corporation and Sri Lankan
representative for the MAGIC show, Hiran Jayasinghe.
He said that over 100,000 buyers
from 110 countries, 7,000 exhibitors and 33,000
departmental stores representing stalls will
take part at the event to be held in February.
The special events include fashion
shows, free educational seminars and a website.
The fashion show comprise three segments with
the latest fashions and designs in men's, women's
and children's clothing are on display. The
seminars focus on the latest industrial topics
and concerns by some of the leading names in
the business.
He said that 93% of US garment
suppliers buy their products through contacts
made at this show. Around 52% of the buyers
who participate at the show are vice presidents
of the respective companies and the majority
of them look for new buyers.
Jayasinghe said that 12 reputed
companies such as Federator, Ann Taylor were
looking around for the Sri Lankan stall. "Therefore
if we could market ourselves and deliver on
time, there will be no problem to secure orders
as big names in the apparel trade would always
look out for new buyers for their purchases.
"Magic" is one such place to secure
orders," he said.
China, realising the importance
of this event increased its participation on
each occasion. "Last February, China had
three booths but at the August exhibition their
participation increased to 108 and this year
China has already reserved 300 booths. However
it is expected to have 1,000 booths for the
next February exhibition."
Participation from the SAARC region
too has increased with India, Bangladesh and
Nepal reserving 58, 11 and 5 booths respectively.
He said when Bangladesh made its debut at the
event, it had secured deals worth US $ one million.
In August, they were able to secure orders worth
over US$ 30 million.
"During the exhibition in February, trade
deals worth over US $ 60 billion were sealed.
Even exporters who visited the exhibition secured
orders", said Jayasinghe. He said that
at the August show, 5400 new buyers representing
3200 new companies attended it and the number
of visitors too increased by 11 percent when
compared to the 2003 February show.
