MALAYSIA’s fashion industry has recorded an unprecedented 10.4 per cent growth in export, from RM17.5 billion as at end-2012 to RM19.3 billion last year, said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade).
This is mainly due to rising awareness and demand for Islamic fashion, said Matrade chairman Datuk Noraini Ahmad during the Sheikhahub World Islamic Fashion Forum (Swiff) recently.
“The industry encompasses contract manufacturing, footwear, textiles, apparel as well as Islamic fashion.
“It is currently contributing 10 per cent towards our entire export industry. The RM19.3 billion growth is unprecedented and we intend to keep the momentum going.”
To that end, Matrade will hold its first Intrade event specifically dedicated to lifestyle at its premises next month.
“We started conducting Intrades in 2007 but this is the first that it will be dedicated to the lifestyle industry. We are also very keen on introducing our Islamic fashion lines and designers to the Middle East, as there is demand for it.”
Earlier this month, Matrade called for more Malaysian firms to exploit the potentials of booming Middle East economies, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
“The Malaysian fashion industry is small right now but it is growing... with the right push, it could grow bigger,” said Noraini.
According to data provided by Matrade, the United States, Japan, China, Turkey and Indonesia were the top five export destinations for Malaysia’s textiles and clothing industry last year.
Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the UAE and the United Kingdom were the top five major export destinations for Malaysia’s footwear in the same period.
The next Swiff series will begin in March and end in London in November next year.
