After the signing of nuclear agreement between Tehran and US and its allies, the world is looking to do business with Iran. In fact, every industry would be affected after the rollback of sanctions, certainly the textile and garment sector is no exception.
Import of fabrics set to soar
Iran had recently announced it would be importing fabrics from Italy and other countries that had earlier announced they would do business after the sanctions are lifted. For India its good news as Iran imported $1.29 billion of textiles and clothing from the world in 2014 of which textiles was $1,292 million and clothing was only $4 million. India’s share in the Iranian textile and clothing market was 11 per cent. Iran’s total import of cotton yarn from the world in 2014 was $51.63 million. And India was the largest supplier of all types of yarns to Iran with approx $35.35 million worth of exports. India ranked 2nd in supply of made ups which was around $2 million and 5th in cotton fabrics at $3.19 million.
Experts believe that the entry of foreign producers will benefit the domestic industry by creating a competitive textile market. Companies set to benefit most immediately from the rollback of sanctions are those that are already present in Iran believes Ramin Rabii, Head of Turquoise Partners Group, an investment firm in Tehran. Germany's BDI industry federation believes exports to Iran could rise four-fold to more than $10.9 billion in the medium-term, up from 2.4 billion in 2014, thanks to the need to modernise industry.
Iran, though does have a long history of producing fabrics, however, the quality has declined in the absence of foreign competition. The feeling is that boosting of trade ties with textile producers will improve the quality of domestic products. Indeed competition is important to encourage domestic textile producers to improve their quality to attract more customers and increase their market share.
Expert’s feel boosting trade ties with foreign textile producers is vital to enhance the quality of domestic products. Italy-based fashion and cloth designer Behnoud Javaherpour, and Majid Mozaffari, a producer of traditional embroidery cloth from Yazd reiterate that Iranians have been producing fabric for the last 6,500 years. Weaving and embroidery have also been a big part of ancient Iranian textile sector. However, the use of use of new designs will help revive the industry and introduce Iranian textiles to the world.
Once the industry gathers steam, Iran has great potential to become the fashion centre of the world as the country’s textile manufacturers are capable of producing unique apparels with traditional and attractive designs. Moreover, some countries are fascinated with Iran’s culture. Iranian designers need to learn sewing techniques, painting, and fashion designing simultaneously, to lead in the global market.
Mozaffari feels that Iran should participate in international festivals and exhibitions and hold training courses to update the knowledge of weavers and improve fields such as printing, fashion designing and textile weaving, to be a part of the global fashion industry.
Meanwhile, Iran is organising Irantex in Tehran from September 4 to 7, 2015. The three day fair will be held at Tehran International Permanent Fair Ground with the active support of Association Industries, Iran Textile Exporters & Manufacturers Association, and Textile Machinery Association of Iran. IRANTEX is a comprehensive international trade fair for textile machinery and textile products. It showcases latest range of textile products, and is a networking place for leading buyers. Manufacturers of knitting, sewing, embroidery, apparel and accessories machines will be present. Also on the list are men women and kids apparel makers, home textile makers, yarn, fiber, dyestuff manufacturers among others. India’s Texprocil too will put up a India Pavilion at IRANTEX.
