1. The Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) is organizing a mega event "India International Fabric Expo (IIFE-2013)" at Hotel Galadari, Colombo, from 8-10, September, 2013 with support of Ministry of Textiles & Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India and the Indian High Commission, Sri Lanka. The IIFE-2013 is also being supported by Ministry of Industry & Commerce of Sri Lanka and various industry associations dealing with textile & garments of Sri Lanka. The inauguration ceremony on 9 September, 2013 will be graced by Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development and Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, H.E. Y. K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India, Mrs. Zohra Chatterji, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Mr. Anura Siriwardena, Secretary, Ministry of Industry & Commerce and other dignitaries from Indian & Sri Lanka. PDEXCIL is also organizing a fashion show in the evening of 9 September, 2013 at Hotel Galadari.

2. PDEXCIL was set up by the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India in 1995. The main objectives of the PDEXCIL is to promote, support, develop and increase Powerlooms and export of Powerloom fabrics, made-ups and Home Textiles and to carry out such promotional activities for the overall development of Powerloom sector. It has its headquarters at Mumbai & Regional Office at Erode. There are about 1500 manufacturing/exporting units as its members. As a part of its activities, PDEXCIL organizes/participates in Trade Fairs, Exhibitions and Buyer Seller Meet abroad and India with support from the Government of India.

3. Sri Lanka has good manufacturing facilities for garment and has potential for high exports. The fabric for manufacture of garments is sourced from various countries, including India. This will be an opportunity for the garment manufacturers, exporters, general traders of textiles, institution buyers and all other stakeholders of textile industry and trade of Sri Lanka to source their requirement and also to have first hand information on the scope of expanding the trade relations between Sri Lanka & India.

4. The powerloom industry in India has grown up from its traditional conventional loom base to automatic and high-tech looms. It is capable of manufacturing any type of fabrics of international quality and standard at reasonable price. The product is the blend of tradition and modern and meets the requirement of lower segment as well as high end consumers.

5. The main objective of this event is to expand the textile trade between the two countries for their mutual benefits. During the IIFE-2013, PDEXCIL looks forward:

• To exhibit various ranges of powerloom textile fabrics to Sri Lankan Garment Manufacturers & domestic buyers and buying agencies, as well as institutional buyers like hotels and hospitals.
• To explore the possibility of Joint Venture in manufacturing and marketing.
• To create long term prospective business relationship.
• To promote Brand India Image.

6. There are 53 Indian exhibitors from various parts of India, including Kerala, Bangalore, Ichalkaranji, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Surat, Bhilwara, Varanasi, Amritsar etc. These companies are manufacturer & exporters from various clusters of powerloom industry in India, displaying wide range of products, all type of fiber, combination and blends of fabrics, made-ups, home textiles and technical textiles.

7. The Fair timing is 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm on Sunday, 8th September 2013, and 10.00 am to 6.00 pm on 9th & 10th September, 2013. Formal inauguration is scheduled at 10.00 a.m. on 9th September, in the presence of high ranking dignitaries from India and Sri Lanka. The Buyer Seller Meet will be on B2B basis, and fabric & Clothing manufacturers, agents, importers, wholesalers, distributors, chain stores, fashion houses, buying houses, retailers, designers, mail orders companies, government agencies, hotels & hospitals, Institutional buyers, brand owners, potential franchisees are most welcome to have a first hand look on various textile products from India and also to have interaction with manufacturers exporters of India directly.