DALIAN: The China International Garment and Textile Fair (CIGF) is helping international garment manufacturers develop a market for their goods in China, said event organizers in the coastal city of northeastern China's Liaoning province.
"Unlike the conventional way, an agent center set up by CIGF does not only bring foreign brands to the fair, but aims to introduce those brands to the Chinese market," Deng Ran, board chairman of the Dalian International Brand Agency Center (IBAC), told China Business Weekly.
With a cooperation agreement, the IBAC exhibited brand products free at the 2009 fair as the brands' general agent in China, Deng said.
The IBAC, which was established last October, brought 74 Italian brands and 18 Spanish brands to the fair held Sept 20 to Sept 23.
Deng said the IBAC will continue to serve as a platform connecting the foreign brands and their Chinese agents.
"Given the global economic situation, many foreign brands are eager to enter the Chinese market," Deng said.
Gao Fujun, deputy director of the CIGF office, said it featured more European brands this year than at a past fair in the fashion festival's 20-year history.
Gao praised the IBAC's efforts to invite more foreign brands to the fair, which he said compensated for fewer domestic exhibitors this year.
"Due to the global economic slowdown, the number of domestic and local enterprises' booths dropped by 50 percent and 65 percent, respectively," Gao said.
He added that Japanese and South Korean companies, which traditionally attend the fair, did not participate this year.
Deng said the IBAC operating model will encourage more participation at future garment fairs.
