New Delhi, India (BBN) – South Asia’s largest garment fair has ended in New Delhi with high hopes to expedite the apparel and clothing exports through fulfilling demand of the global buyers using latest fashion trends.

“This fair will provide the much-needed opportunity to source garment from India. The whole world is looking at us with hope,” Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Union Minister of State for Textiles of India, said while addressing at inaugural ceremony of the three-day-long 53rd India International Garment Fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on July 14, the SPORTSWEAR INTERNATIONAL reported.

Mr. Gangwar also said this sector, which yields rich dividend in terms of forex earnings by exports and highest employment potential, has received attention at the highest level.

Virender Uppal, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), suggested the government to expedite the process of India- European Union (EU)-FTA (free trade agreement) finalization, as this will help the exporters to have better market access, which is already enjoyed by some of India’s competitors like Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Apparel and clothing exhibitors from across the length and breadth of India, including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bangalore, Orissa and Punjab took part in the show, organized by the AEPC in association with the Apparel Exporters and Manufactures Association (AEMA), the Garment Exporters Association (GEA) and the Clothing Manufactures Association of India (CMAI).

More than 400 buyers from 59 different countries including Brazil, UK, USA, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Poland, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Hong Kong, Spain and Australia visited the fair, according to the organizers.

The big buyers includes One Jeanswear Group from USA, Grupo Hotelshops, Mexico, Alpelo Conf. E.com Limited from Brazil, OSP Group (Red Cat) from USA, Cape Union Mart from South Africa, PJSC Melon Fashion Group from Russia, the Original Factory Shop from UK, Cortefiel from Spain, and Lulu International from UAE also attended the show.

BBN/SSR/AD-18July14-9:39 pm (BST)