Currently, CMAI has around 2,400 members, with domestic garment makers forming a major chunk, while others are largely exporters. There is no representation of international bulk buyers at CMAI, that influence the garment trade, more so in the liberalised era.

Further, the association plans to increase the awareness of Indian garments - branded and unbranded - among consumers in both domestic and the international markets, CMAI will hold seminars-cum-trade fairs in select markets. For example, in August it will hold regional trade fairs in Pune and Sholapur, followed by fairs in southern regions. In order to attract foreign buyers to Indian markets, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), jointly with four other industryorganisations including CMAI, had organised earlier this month the 21st India International Garment Fair. Other participants were Apparell Exporters' and Manufacturers' Association (New Delhi), Apparell & Handloom Exporters' Association (Chennai) and Garment Exporters' Association (New Delhi).

Among the international markets, CMAI will hold trade fairs in the middle eastern countries and other countries where Indian population is prominent"."In the current liberalised times, it is inevitable that we can continue operations without active participation of the foreign bulk importers with the industry," said CMAI vice president Premal Udani.

Last year, it was marginally higher at around 227, but almost half from the levels witnessed during the earlier years.

"Overall recession in the economy, changing pattern within the garment trade and the squeeze in the profit margins of the garment makers have all reduced dealers' participation in this year's trade fair," said CMAI president HH Shah.

"After twoyear's of decline in trade fair participation, the garment industry is currently passing through a phase of stagnant growth," said CMAI's immediate past president Rahul Mehta, one of the leading garment makers.

"It is necessary that those engaged in the industry consider trade not as a platform for immediate gains in the form of order bookings but for future benefits."

CMAI has created an export processing zone at Andheri, Mumbai and is developing another such zone at Vapi in Gujarat. The association also has a training centre at Andheri to create a skilled workforce and one more is on the cards at Dadar.

The association has a testing laboratory at Lower Parel, Mumbai with a computerised testing facility.

Garment fair in city

The Clothing Manufacturers' Association of India (CMAI) is organising its 35th National Garment Fair in Mumbai that begins on Tuesday at the NSE Complex in the northern suburb of the city, Goregaon. The four-day fair is jointly organised by Apparel Exports andManufacturers' Association (AEMA), New Delhi. About 6,000 domestic dealers and 100 foreign buyers are expected to visit the fair.

For the first time, CMAI has tried to make the trade fair more dealer-friendly. Special seminars on brand image, given the excessive proliferation of brands by the day will be organised by the association. The seminar is aimed at helping garment makers and dealers to build a brand image.

To attract more dealer participation, the organisers have announced an attractive prize of a Martui car. A fashion show has been organised (on July 30) which will demonstrate garments designed by the students of BD Somani Fashion Institute.

The fair would have 250 stalls, 100 show-windows and a trend pavilion for 150 single garment product of each participant on first-come-first-served basis.

There are about 2.5 lakh small and large garment manufacturing units employing over 50 lakh persons. India exports garments worth Rs 17,000 crore to more than 100 countries and hopes to achieve anexport target of Rs 40,000 crore by 2002. India's main competitors for garments are China, Bangladesh and Vietnam.