The rescheduling of the fairs will also allow both local and international fairgoers more time to prepare for their participation, Messe Frankfurt, a leading trade fair, congress, and event organiser, and a co-organiser of the three fairs, said in a press release.

The spring editions of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, Yarn Expo, and Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles have been postponed by 3 weeks to March 28-30, 2023, mainly because better turn out is expected due to easing pandemic restriction policies in China. The fairs will still be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai.

The Chinese government recently eased its pandemic guidelines including reopening the border and scrapping quarantine, testing on arrival, and health code requirements for travellers starting from January 8. In line with these measures, more international flights are resuming, while the border between Mainland China and Hong Kong is scheduled to reopen gradually by mid-January 2023. These steps send a clear signal that China is ready to open up for international business.

Discussing the change of dates, Wilmet Shea, deputy general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd explained: “After talking to our stakeholders, we believe adjusting the spring show dates to the end of March is the right move. It provides enough time for exhibitors and visitors from local and abroad to plan for the fairs and capitalise on the ample international business opportunities brought by the reopening of China’s border.

“I would like to express our thanks to all participants for their unwavering understanding and support. We are looking forward to providing the textile industry with a safe, international, and effective business platform. With the reopening of the border and relaxing of quarantine restrictions we expect the three spring fairs to attract more international and regional participants as a result.”

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre. The co-organisers of Yarn Expo are Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT. Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).

Messe Frankfurt’s China textile fairs form a part of the company’s Texpertise Network, which consists of some 50 fairs around the world.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)