The fifth edition of ITMA Asia plus CITME to be held at the new National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) in Shanghai from 21 to 25 October 2016 has received a huge response from both domestic and international textile machinery manufacturers due to which space applications for the exhibition will close on 29 February 2016.

Almost 1,000 manufacturers have already applied for space, according to show owners, CEMATEX, China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA), the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex) and China Exhibition Centre Group Corporation (CIEC).

Mr Gu Ping, Vice President of CTMA, stated that they have seen a greater number of Chinese manufacturers and international textile machinery manufacturers signing up to exhibit at the combined show this year as they are eager to tap into growth opportunities in China as the country continues its strategic push for quality products, higher productivity and green technologies.

Interestingly, nearly 30 percent of the applicants are first-time participants. This attests to the reputation of the combined show as a leading-edge industry platform.

CEMATEX President, Mr Charles Beauduin, said that with the deadline for space application draws near, they are receiving increasing numbers of applications from their members, anxious to secure a booth before the deadline. As expected, interest from both domestic and international machinery manufacturers is strong, as everyone wants to tap into the market opportunities in China.

Textile machinery manufacturers are leveraging on ITMA ASIA + CITME 2016 as a strategic platform to showcase their latest technologies and products to buyers as China rolls out its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016 – 2020). Under the plan, the Chinese textile industry will focus on industrial transformation and upgrading. Structural adjustments will continue to be made in all sectors, thus expanding opportunities for the further development of textile enterprises and in areas such as industrial textiles.

According to CTMA, China’s textile industry has been making greater investments to stay more competitive. There were a total of 15,235 new projects in 2015. From January to November 2015, fixed asset investments in textile projects of more than 5 million yuan each amounted to 1.09 trillion yuan. This represents a 200 per cent jump from the same period in 2014.

In view of these positive trends, which will spawn demand for better technologies, and the resounding success of the 2014 combined show, they are confident that participation in the upcoming show will be outstanding, said Mr Gu Ping.

The last ITMA ASIA + CITME show in 2014 grossed 150,000 square metres and attracted around 1,600 exhibitors from 28 economies and a trade visitorship of around 100,000 from 102 economies.

The upcoming ITMA ASIA + CITME 2016 is organised by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co Ltd and co-organised by MP Expositions Pte Ltd. Japan Textile Machinery Association is a special partner of the show.