Premier Sourcing Expo: Indian Apparel Launched by AEPC and ST&R.

Business Editors

Sourcing Expo: Indian Apparel

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2004

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), promoter of Indian textile exports, and Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R), the leader in international trade advisory services, have announced the creation of Sourcing Expo: Indian Apparel, the first single-country sourcing show of this size ever held in the United States. The event is scheduled for June 4th - 5th in Dallas, TX and June 9th - 10th in New York, NY. This trade mission will be combined with an educational component featuring speakers such as Thomas G. Travis, Managing Partner of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., Wendy Wieland Martin, Director of Trade and Customs Services for Kellwood Company, Ted Sattler, Executive Vice President of Foreign Operations for Philips-Van Heusen, and Rodney Birkins, President of JC Penney Purchasing Corporation, discussing the post-quota environment and future sourcing strategies.

"The timing for Sourcing Expo: Indian Apparel is critical," said Travis. "Quotas for all World Trade Organization (WTO) members will be eliminated in 2005, opening up huge opportunities for exporters in India and buyers in the U.S. By educating buyers about how these quota changes will impact their business, as well as introducing them to trading partners, ST&R and AEPC will enable them to take advantage of new business opportunities worth, literally, billions of dollars."

India is well-positioned to be a major sourcing partner for the U.S. With a gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.4 trillion, a vertically integrated and diverse textile industry and an abundant, low-cost, and highly skilled labor base, India offers many advantages to U.S. buyers. In addition, India has consistently remained flexible in terms of production capacity; offers low import duties that can mean significant cost savings; has a highly developed transportation infrastructure with links to other Asian nations that can ease distribution; and has a government that recognizes and supports the importance of the textile and apparel industry.

"India is an ideal trading partner for many U.S. companies," said Rakesh Vaid, Chairman of Export Promotion at AEPC. "By bringing together buyers and sellers at the Sourcing Expo: Indian Apparel, in a timeframe that is optimal for developing strategies to succeed in a quota-free environment, there is a tremendous opportunity to form lasting, mutually beneficial relationships."

ST&R will also give attendees at each show a chance to win its 2005 IBERC Diagnostic Program (a $15,000 value!). The prize includes an analysis of company products' sourcing matrix and strategic recommendations on crafting a new forward-looking sourcing strategy. The 2005 IBERC Diagnostic Program was developed by The IBERC Group, a division of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. that concentrates on economic and trade analytical studies. The program was designed to assist apparel companies in understanding the changes they will encounter with the removal of quotas in 2005, as well as other changes and events that will occur in the near future.

Show and Registration Information

The Dallas Sourcing Expo: Indian Apparel will be held June 4-5 at the Dallas Market Center during the Women's and Children's Apparel & Accessories Show. Show hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and admission is free. The New York Sourcing Expo: Indian Apparel will be held June 9-10 at the Penn Plaza Pavilion (across from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden). Show hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and admission is free. Speaker information for both events will be available at http://www.IndianApparelExpo.com.

For information about attending the Sourcing Expo: Indian Apparel, call 800-5TRADE-5 (800-587-2335) or 305-267-9200 ext. 227, e-mail [e-mail] or visit http://www.IndianApparelExpo.com.

The Apparel Export Promotion Council

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) is an agency sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles for Government of India. AEPC is entrusted with the dual responsibility of monitoring garment export quotas as well as promoting the export of ready-made garments from India. Over the last 25 years the council has been continuously involved in the task of promoting exports by organizing meetings for buyers and sellers, leading global trade delegations to potential markets, participating in specialized international fairs, organizing the biannual India International Garment Fair, putting together seminars and hosting workshops on technical aspects of the apparel industry. For more information, visit http://www.aepcindia.com.

Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg, P.A.

Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R) is an international trade and customs law practice concentrating in assisting clients with the movement of goods, personnel, and ideas across international borders with approximately 300 practicing professionals and offices in Washington, D.C., Miami, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco and Los Angeles. In addition, through its affiliated consulting company, Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services (STTAS), the Firm services clients through offices located in Detroit, Ottawa, Portland and Phoenix. ST&R, STTAS and IBERC are widely recognized as leading advisors to the textile/apparel industry. For more information, visit http://www.strtrade.com.