The textile and garment industry expects export growth of 10-15 per cent this year, thanks to regional integration, which has strengthened Thailand's export competitiveness.
Thai Textile Manufacturing Association president Phongsak Assakul said despite the economic and political challenges of recent years, the industry was rebounding quickly. The growth forecast is based on optimism gained through the region's expanding opportunity.
The Source Asian Full-Service Alliance was founded on the collaborative effort of all 10 member countries of the Asean Federation of Textile Industries and Asean Competitiveness Enhancement and funded by the US Agency for International Development.
The objective of this three-year initiative is to enable the effective pairing of local manufacturers and buyers within the region and from around the world, promoting Asean's capacities and regional synergy to facilitate the needs of the global market.
"By participating in this project, manufacturers can optimise operations across the supply chain: cost reduction, production efficiency, quality assurance and timely product delivery," said Phongsak.
The industry suffered a 13-per-cent decrease in export value last year.
Thai Garment Manufacturers Association president Dej Pathanasethpong said the country's ability to survive the downtrend in the global textile and garment market could be attributed to continuous product development and improved quality assurance that were trusted by international buyers.
Other key factors include human resources, especially Thai fashion designers, who are highly skilled at producing trend-based, season-oriented collections. Support from relevant industries has also played an important role in the success.
"Trendy designs, upgraded manufacturing processes, strategic branding, trendsetting and better distribution networks also matter if we want to be on the world's fashion map by 10 years from now," he said.
Bobae Garment Association president Komsan Vijitvikrom said street fashion and original-design manufacturing (ODM) now drove the country's textile and garment industry to a large extent.
"What we must do first is regain the confidence of foreign trade partners and buyers, which has been damaged by the country's political uncertainty, in order to add cultural value to our products and explore new markets. Targets for our ODM and street fashion include Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, India and the Middle East."
To promote Thailand's regional position, the Bangkok International Fashion Fair & Bangkok International Leather Fair 2010 and Asean Integration: Textiles - Apparel - Leather will take place at Impact Muang Thong Thani from April 1-4 as scheduled. More than 600 exhibitors and foreign visitors from nearly 100 countries have confirmed their attendance.
Special events will include Asean and Japanese pavilions, 48 fashion shows, an Asian Designer Congress, a series of seminars and business matching.
The Department of Export Promotion is confident Thailand can become an integrated hub for Asean fashion products. More than 100 buyers have confirmed their interest in participating in business matching.
