Aug-2014
Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association – Soaring to New Heights
The Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association (SLABA) was launched on the 20th of June 2014 with great ambitions for our talented local designer brands.Ceremoniously inaugurated by the Minister for Economic Development Hon. Basil Rajapakse at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel Colombo, the association also introduced its impressive new website www.srilankabrands.com.
SLABA has proudly gained membership of the coveted Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) with local apparel brands claiming an impressive 40% share in Sri Lanka’s US$ 2 billion retail apparel market.
Setting high goals for branded garment manufacturers in Sri Lanka SLABA has rebranded itself witha strong ambition of taking talented and passionate local designers and manufacturers to new heights. With newly appointed Chairmanof SLABA Indradatta Dharmawardana promising quality innovative designs to local and foreign consumers.
SLABA already has an impressive growing portfolio of over 60 dedicated members striving to take Sri Lanka’s clothing industry to extraordinary heights, since most members are already established shareholders in the country’s successful garment industry. Passion and dedication seems to be the driving force behind opening new avenues in international and local arenas for local apparel manufacturers.
Encouraging new comers to the apparel industry SLABA hopes to extend its support and help to already popular local designer brands as they break into foreign markets. Capturing the international markets these local brands will be given a helping hand in establishing their brands as globally recognised labels.
SLABA’s future plans will see Sri Lanka’s retail apparel market hitting the US$ 3 billion mark. Imitating countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and China SLABA hopes to introduce ‘International Market Places’ encouraging tourists and business travellers to invest in and promote local clothing brands.
Branded local apparels under SLABA members consist of casual wear, fashion wear, lingerie, uniforms – work wear and tailoring formal wear together with other common clothing such as socks, headwear and even bags.
In keeping with Sri Lanka’s‘garments without guilt’ policy SLABA commits itself to promoting industry best practises encompassing health, safety, operation and environment. On the same lines SLABA opens its doors to members on a voluntary, non-legally binding plan.
SLABA will liaise with both government and non-governmental organisations for cutting edge deals and lucrative contracts actively promoting local brand development and market growth. As such the association places its trust and faith in Sri Lanka’s talented garment manufacturers and designers and hopes to work in partnership towards the common goal of taking Sri Lanka’s designer brands to the international arena.
comment this post