Int’l textile expo to help boost industry
May 31st, 2007
SEMARANG: The Semarang International Garment and Textile Accessories Exhibition 2007 is underway at the Central Java Recreation and Development Promotion Center in Semarang from May 23-26, featuring various sophisticated textile machines and the latest textile products from 14 countries.
The expo, with 117 participating companies representing 14 countries including China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Switzerland, Taiwan and the U.S., is expected to generate US$20 million in business deals and transactions.
The same event held in West Java once recorded deals worth $50 million.
According to Central Java Industry and Trade Office head Abdul Sulhadi, the exhibition is part of the province’s endeavor to facilitate restructuring of the local textile industry.
Central Java is in need of updated textile machinery to enhance its competitiveness against foreign-made fabrics. Of the 74,943 textile manufacturers operating in 21 areas, including the major production centers of Solo, Semarang, Pekalongan, Tegal, Sragen, Jepara and Kudus, 70 percent still use 15- to 25-year-old equipment.
“With outdated apparatus, our productivity is falling. We won’t be able to penetrate the tight competition on the global market. Banking circles even call Central Java’s textile factories a ’sunset’ industry,” said Sulhadi.
– Jakarta Post / Suherdjoko
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