Messe Frankfurt (HK) unveiled that ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) has agreed to host its annual exhibition on garment, accessories and machinery in Hong Kong for five years starting from 2004.

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) nations have made efforts to use their united force to increase the region''s strength in the world market, in preparation for the removal of textile quotas in 2005.

"We feel that Hong Kong is the natural choice of the location for ''Source It''. The city is a gateway to both China and the ASEAN countries. There is simply nowhere better placed or with better knowledge of the workings of the international textile/garment business," said Katy Lam, director of Trade Fairs, Messe Frankfurt (HK).

According to the agreement, the AFTEX will bring from next yearthe ASEAN textile souring event to Hong Kong to be held with the Interstoff Asia Spring, a spring international fabric show which is held annually by Messe Frankfurt.

Lam said that when "Source It" runs concurrently with Interstoff Asia Spring in spring 2004, the two fairs together willprovide a
comprehensive one-stop-shop for textile products and services covering every link in the production chain from upstreamfibres and yarns to downstream design services.

"The joint efforts will also demonstrate Hong Kong''s position as a world trading hub," added Lam.