International Expo Consults (IEC) announced that ‘SGI Dubai 2015’ will include an exclusive textile printing focused pavilion called ‘SGI Textile’. This announcement will see the introduction of new technologies under two broad printing categories namely ‘technical fabric’ and ‘garment decoration’ alongside other major pavilions. The 18th edition of the show will be held from January 11thto January 13th, 2015 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Digital textile printing is described as any ink jet based method of printing colorants onto fabric. Most notably, digital textile printing is referred to when identifying either printing smaller designs onto garments such as t-shirts, promotional wear; and printing larger designs onto large format rolls of textile. The latter is a growing trend in visual communication, where advertisement and corporate branding is printed onto polyester media such as flags, banners, signs and retail graphics. Digital textile printing started in the late 1980s as a possible replacement for analog screen printing.
Commenting on the announcement Mr. Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman, IEC said that, “We are delighted to announce the launch of this new vertical segment in our show to address the needs of the textile sector. The region is gradually gearing towards becoming one of the world’s leading textile manufacturing and trading hubs due to the good economic environment and fair trade practices. This therefore is an important period to engage with potential partners and customers within this vertical sector”.
At SGI Dubai 2015, Brother International will be showcasing a series of products within the textile printing category. One among them is the Brother GT-3 Series garment printer which has new options and platens to produce high volumes and also make a unique fashion garment.
In 2012, the emirate of Fujairah unveiled the largest textile factory in the Middle East. Producing 10,000 tonnes of cotton yarn each year, the plant was built at a cost of Dh225 million (US$61.2m) by the Azerbaijan government, in partnership with Fujairah Government. The factory is estimated to make AED140million in sales per year.
In addition, Brother International will also showcase ‘The Entrepreneur® Pro PR-1000’ 10-needle home embroidery which is the next dimension in innovation, creativity, productivity, and expansive space for embroidery based businesses.
“There is a great deal of expectation and optimism among our exhibitors and trade visitors every year on textile segments. Through this show, we hope to bring latest printing technologies in the textile and garment manufacturing units to this region. With the launch of the textile city, UAE has strengthened its position as major textile hub, and countries like Egypt, Turkey, China and Italy has already established their regional headquarters in Dubai. SGI Dubai will also serve as a platform for the stakeholders to share ideas for nurturing and developing the industry in the region,” said Mr. Sharif Rahman, CEO, IEC.
According to industry report, the UAE has today become the world’s fourth largest trading centre of fashion and apparel, accounting for about 5.5 percent of the world’s annual textile and clothing sales. Valued at $2.4 billion, Dubai’s textile industry has played a critical role in the Emirate’s economic development, and is now the second largest contributor to Dubai trade, including exports and imports.