It is the right time for Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel exporters to step up operations and capitalise from the geopolitical challenges in the region and the US tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, said CEMS Global Group CEO S.S. Sarwar.
He was addressing the media last week at the launch of the 14th edition of CEMS-Global USA’s textile series of exhibitions.
“Sri Lanka being a friendly country has a wonderful road ahead in promoting its apparel exports to the world,” Sarwar said referring to the many disruptions to the global textile supply chain.
The apparel industry expected the political crisis in Bangladesh last year to benefit Sri Lanka with orders in the short-term. Although it had some benefits for Sri Lanka’s apparel exports it did not bring the desired benefits.
However, today Bangladesh has overcome the crisis to some extent regaining lost ground in manufacturing orders.
Bangladesh is a major player in the global apparel market and has been putting up stiff resistance to the crisis and competition to regional exporters such as Sri Lanka which is grapples with a staggering cost of production.
Joint Apparel Association Forum Secretary General Yohan Lawrence said the US tariffs on other nations could have a temporary shift towards Sri Lanka in apparel sourcing but added it is too early to speculate the future opportunities which may or may not come.
As US tariffs take effect Canada, China and Mexico retaliated with their own tariffs last week which analysts said could possibly turn out to be a trade war.
President Trump launched a trade war against its three major trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Canada, Mexico and China and sending financial markets into a tailspin.
CEMS-Global USA is back in Sri Lanka to host the 14th Sri Lankan edition of its acclaimed textile series of exhibitions featuring the 12th Textech Sri Lanka 2025, the 14th Colombo yarn and fabric show and the 47th Dye Chem Sri Lanka 2025.
The exhibition will be held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre Colombo from March 13 to 15.
CEMS-Global USA’s textile exhibitions are held annually in Bangladesh, Brazil, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The exhibition which will bring together manufacturers and industry leaders is an opportunity for Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers to forge business partnerships and knowledge sharing.
As the textile and apparel sector is a cornerstone of the economy the exhibition is slated to support the sector’s growth by providing access to latest technology and sustainable practices.
