ITMA Asia 2005 opened today (October 17) in Singapore, with 851 exhibitors from 36 economies to exhibit in one single event and fill up all seven halls at Singapore Expo, the first time in the venue's history.

The strong response for ITMA Asia 2005 is the result of the emergence of the Asia as a major player in the global textile industry. Edward Roberts, President of the show owner CEMATEX, said, "Fabric output in Asia increased by over 50% last year and this figure is set to grow. In 2004, Asia accounted for 92% of all spinning machine shipments, 88% of all shuttleless weaving machine shipments and 69% of all knitting machine shipments."

Exhibits are displayed in 15 product sectors, ranging from spinning, nonwovens, weaving and knitting, to finishing, testing, handling and packing. The largest three product groups in the exhibition are: Spinning (11,876 sqm nett), Finishing (10,242 sqm nett) and Weaving (6,082 sqm nett).

Sylvia Phua, Chief Executive Officer of the show's organizer Meeting Planners International Pte Ltd (MPI), said, "ITMA Asia 2005 will be a vital economic generator for the country. On average, a MICE visitor's expenditure is about S$1,500 to S$1,800 per trip, more than twice that of the normal visitor."

ITMA Asia will be held until Friday (October 21), from 10am to 6pm daily.

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