Record-breaking Motexha 2007 opens today with 220 exhibitors from 25 countries echoing the growth in the region’s US$12 billion textiles market

Motexha 2007, the largest annual garments, textiles, leather and fashion accessories event in the Middle East, opens today (Monday 19 March) at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC). This year the event has attracted record numbers of participants and more than 225 exhibitors from 25 different countries a 35 per cent year-on-year increase mirroring the growth in the region’s over US$ 13 billion textiles industry. 

Trade associations and government delegations from the UAE and Asia have all given enthusiastic endorsements to Motexha 2007. TEXMAS, the textile merchants group behind the US$ 60 million Dubai Textiles City are a key supporter along with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Further a field key public and private sector organisations such as National Agency for Export Development (NAFED) of Indonesia, China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery (CCCT), APICCAPS of Portugal and Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion (DEP), have added their considerable weight.

Geoffrey Booy, Exhibition Director for Motexha at IIR Middle East, commented, “The support we have gained from local and international trade organisations has been magnificent. With diplomats expected from Taiwan, Indonesia, Belgium, Pakistan, Armenia, Spain and Italy, Motexha can legitimately claim to be the most important platform for the escalating Middle East textiles industry.”

Amongst the exhibitors Motexha has been a beacon for European manufacturers with 60 companies being represented from Turkey to the UK. China once again will be well represented, 56 companies participating along with strong Asian delegations from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, India and Pakistan. Middle Eastern companies are out in force too with the UAE, Syria, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait and Lebanon all on show.

Of particular note on the Pakistani Pavilion will be top international fashion designer Nadya Mistry. The Parisian-qualified icon out of the Nino Cerruti and Mary McFadden stables will no doubt be eager to further enhance her exports of in-vogue silk, synthetics, knitwear and readymade garments.

Peter Reed (Textiles) Limited, from the UK, pioneers in the production of cotton bed linens, will showcase their recently launched ‘Original Hotel Sheet Collection’, which comprises of bed, bath and sleepwear linens. The company holds the unique accolade of being manufacturer of bed linen for Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II.

The show will also feature a dedicated arena for international brands and franchise labels, showcasing more than 100 mid to high-end brands and new designers.