Close on the heels of US retailer J C Penney's announcement to enhance outsourcing from India, domestic apparel exporters have firmed up plans to hold a mega garment show in Dallas and New York.
"We want to show the world our prowess in garment manufacturing ahead of the quota phase out and a mega garment fair in the United States will mark the beginning of this process," A Sakthivel, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council, said.
The show, to be held in June will be managed by Washington-based agency Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg which will mobilse buyers at the two shows, he said.
AEPC has invited proposals from leading garment makers out of which about 75 would be shortlisted for the fair, a follow up of US retailers recent visits.
Senior officials from WalMart, J C Penney and Target were recently in India as a part of their outsourcing plan.
Sakthivel said that to project India as a reliable supplier of high fashion garments, the council planned to hold similar shows in Europe.
"We also have plans to hold shows in Milan, Barcelona, Dusseldorf and London which are to be concretised," Sakthivel said.
Under the Multi-Fibre Agreement quotas would expire on December 31, 2004.