Taiwan's long fiber textile makers land over US$10 M. in orders from Thailand

Taipei, Dec. 3, 2003 (CENS)--Taiwan's long fiber textile manufacturers reportedly landed over US$10 million worth of orders at a textile promotion show held late last month in Thailand by Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) and Taiwan Knitting Industry Association (TKIA), according to TTF sources.

Some 20 local long fiber textile manufacturers, including Everest Textile Co., Eclat Textile Co., Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corp., and Formosa Taffeta Co., were invited to participate in the show to promote their products in Thailand. And near 1,000 garment makers in Thailand, including such noted footwear makers as Nike and Adidas, visited the show. Some of the visitors already placed orders during the show.

TTF said that in recent years many of the world's leading brand garment makers have contracted manufacturers in Thailand to turn out products for them. And Thailand is now one of the world's major suppliers of sportswear, leisure garments and female underwear of many world brands. Today garment products are Thailand's fourth largest export item.

As multifunctional high-end cloths are becoming more and more popular in the world market, Taiwan exhibitors at the promotion show in Thailand displayed textile products featuring a wide range of functions, including anti-bacteria, anti-ultraviolet ray, flame-retardant, waterproof, fast dry, and far infrared effect.

Chen Hsiu-chung, chairman of TTF, pointed out that the global quota system for textile products will be canceled in 2005. Thailand is planning to hold trade talks with the United States next year and both sides are expected to sign a free trade agreement thereafter. So, it's time for Taiwan textile manufacturers to promote their products in Thailand and to cooperate with the garment makers there, Chen continued.

During the two-day exhibition in Thailand, Taiwan textile makers reportedly received spot orders valued at about US$500,000 and follow-up orders are estimated to reach US$11.47 million.