Jeddah is set to become a local and regional focal point for the rapidly expanding textile industry, as it hosts the first “Textile Arabia” exhibition, on March 25.

Saudi Arabia’s premier international exhibition for apparel, machinery, clothing, printing, fabrics and accessories will run till March 28 at Jeddah Center for events and forums.

More than 120 leading manufacturers, international exhibitors, experts and industry decision-makers from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Taiwan, UAE and Italy will be taking part, said the organisers Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE).

To be hosted in collaboration with the textile and clothing committee at JCCI, the Textile Arabia will see companies display their products on a 40,000 sq m area.

Zahoor Siddique, the vice president of ACE said “The creation of this important new exhibition for the country’s textile industry comes as manufacturers are preparing to make massive investments and because the Saudi textile market is experiencing unprecedented growth created by the explosion in population and the huge surge in the property market.”

Textile Arabia will focus on the immense market potential as a comprehensive event representing all areas of the transport, import / export and manufacturing cycle, he stated.

According to Siddique, the Saudi textile standing which stood currently at over SR10 billion ($2.2 billion) had witnessed solid growth with its imports increasing 13 to 15 per cent annually.

"Ihram for men and abayas for women form a large section of this expanding market due to the increasing number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims. Tents and towels are also in great demand," he noted.

The dedicated textiles machinery and accessories show will be a one-stop shop for decision-makers within a wide range of businesses. These include textiles and fabrics, fibres and Abayas, Thoubs & Ghuthras, leather goods, home furnishings, textile dyes and treatments as well as Machinery & Related Services.

Mohammed Al Shehri, the chairman of the textile and clothing committee at JCCI said the objective is to introduce the techniques and modern production methods that are used internationally and to boost the national industry by opening doors for new job opportunities for the youth in this sector and enhance their competitiveness in the garments’ sector.-TradeArabia News Service