Promoted by Sri Lanka Apparel Sourcing Association (SLASA), Export Development Board (EDB) and the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the first ever textile andapparel fashion exhibition, ‘Sourced, Sri Lanka’ will be held on June 17 and 18 at The Lindley Hall in London.

Supported by the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, the exhibition features 50 exhibitors including 10 SME sector companies. It is expected to attract over thousand foreign buyers not only from the UK but also from Europe besides trade visitors from Sri Lanka.

Yohan Lawrence, Secretary General, JAAF, says, the exhibition will showcase new and smaller apparel manufacturing companies from Sri Lanka and showcase them to the world. It will also find partners for them besides boosting local exports to the UK in future, adds Lawrence.

RohithaBogollagama, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in London, adds, the event should have been held earlier as there is a huge market for local apparel in the UK.

Working alongside event partners, Twenty Twenty Digital, the show organisers willutilisekey brand connections from their years of experience and direct ties to the fashion industry. The event will provide local exhibitors with an opportunity to face a high profile audience of around 500 including members representing top brands, retailers, buyers, manufacturers, importers and also press and media.

Formed in 1993, SLASA aims to promote and foster the growth of the garment industry in Sri Lanka. Dr Kingsley Bernard, CEO & Chairman, Export Development Board, adds, the event gives the SME sector a golden opportunity to enter the UK and the EU markets by finding buyers from the event.