The Textile and Fashion Federation Singapore, with cooperation from International Enterprise Singapore and SPRING Singapore, have launched Apparel Singapore as a brand to represent a group of major Singapore apparel manufacturers in their strategic and global marketing efforts. Member companies, also known as brand ambassadors, include established, successful Singapore-based apparel manufacturers that also operate production facilities in nearly 20 countries.
As a promotional agency, Apparel Singapore will tout the capabilities, manufacturing services, offerings and competitiveness of the country's apparel makers to the global market. in hopes of increasing the industry's output which totaled US$6 billion in 2007 by 15 percent over the next five years.
Not many people know that the largest suppliers for international brands like Nike, Macy's and GAP are actually apparel manufacturers based in Singapore, said Lim Hng Kiang, minister for trade and industry, in remarks made at the official launching ceremony. They have been able to ride the wave of globalization by offering an integrated global sourcing solution to established global retailers and buyers. Our [textile and apparel] companies have been able to provide flexibility and customization of service offerings to these global customers by leveraging on the cost-effective manufacturing locations in China, Southeast Asia and South Asia, and basing their headquarter functions in Singapore.
