As Sri Lankan annual apparel exports closed in on the crucial $5 Bn mark, South America’s largest apparel market was given a preview of Lankan fashion when the Brazil International Apparel Sourcing Show 2015 (BIAS 2015) opened in Sao Paulo on 27 May.
Lanka’s EDB and Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) officials led a delegation consisting of reps from six companies to BIAS 2015, the leading international apparel show of Brazil and South America showcasing leading Asian Apparel manufacturers for worldwide exports. A B2B platform for Asian apparel manufacturers & international buyers, BIAS is also said to be “the biggest meeting place of apparel manufacturers and suppliers of Asia-Pacific focusing on buyers from USA, EU, East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. BIAS 2015 showcased products of South Asian countries such as India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka in over 225 stalls. BIAS 2015 attracted buyers not only from Brazil but also from other South American countries such as Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela etc.
Sri Lanka delegation consisted of reps from Sumithra Garments, Garment Services Meegoda, Rakshaa, Haward Fashions, Fashion Works and Ravi Tharu Holdings. Among the Lankan apparel items showcased at BIAS 2015 were men’s and women’s jackets, trousers, shirts, boxer shorts, men undergarments, women and girls’ blouses, dresses, pants, and casual wear.
Brazil is the largest apparel market in South America. The Brazilian apparel market stood at $42 Bn in 2013/14, while the second largest South American apparel market, Mexico, was only $14 Bn in the same period. The EDB and Lankan apparel industry identified Brazil as an important emerging market for Lankan apparels. EDB facilitated the first ever delegation to Brazil in 2014 with the participation of nine Lankan companies. As a result of 2014 B2B meetings, many business contacts have been directly established with Brazilian brands and international brands and retailers.
As Sri Lankan annual apparel exports closed in on the crucial $5 Bn mark and stood at $4.9 Bn in 2014 growing YoY by 9.26%. Sri Lanka exported $18 Mn apparels to Brazil in 2014. In 2014, Brazil ranked 22nd buyer of Lankan apparels standing above Saudi Arabia and immediately below Ireland.
