Cashmere World Trade Fair to Address Global Issues of Cashmere Quality and Sustainability

USA - English

• USA - English

HONG KONG, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Cashmere is coveted for its unique qualities: its softness, durability, lightness and warmth make it a premium material desired by consumers worldwide. But, like other textiles and apparel sub-sectors, the cashmere industry faces issues of quality and sustainability on a global scale which threaten the long-term growth of the industry.

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Cashmere World trade fair (http://www.cashmereworldfair.com ) is poised to address such issues and beyond at its forthcoming event held 23 - 25 November 2010 in Beijing.

The organisers, UBM, and their government body partners CFNA (China Chamber of Commerce of Import & Export of Foodstuffs, Native Products & Animal By-Products) are offering attendees two significant fringe programmes -- Cashmere Quality Forum and Sustainability Conference -- supported by key industry players including the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) and sponsors Huntsman Textile Effects.

The programmes are part of CFNA's on-going initiative to protect the value of the cashmere business and educate industry professionals and consumers about cashmere. It is under the mandate of CFNA to set the standards of the cashmere industry in China, the country which controls over 95% of the world's supply of pure cashmere and produces 75% of cashmere products in the world.

WRAP, which has provided social responsibility training and certification services to textile & apparel industries for over a decade, is "delighted to support Cashmere World for the greater future of the cashmere industry," said WRAP Senior Vice President Mr. Francis Yuk, who will participate at both the Forum and the Conference.

Mr. Yuk is confirmed to be the moderator of the Cashmere Quality Forum, where panelists will debate the need for global cashmere quality standards and address both commercial and technical issues. He believes the Forum will help the industry achieve a "unified approach to cashmere quality analysis, cashmere manufacturing and quality improvement across the supply chain."

Meanwhile, the Sustainability Conference will take place following the forum, with the aim to promote the productive and sustainable development of the cashmere industry. The conference speakers will offer a multi-faceted perspective on the issue by addressing sustainable fashion, sustainable cashmere and sustainable businesses.

Mr. Young Chul Kim and Ms. Alice Ng, both specialists representing Huntsman Textile Effects, will offer insights into the future of cashmere sustainability, while senior lecturer Dr. Judyanna Kong from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Institute of Clothing & Textiles (ITC) is set to present fashion and design trends for cashmere.

Cashmere Quality Forum and Sustainability Conference will take place 24 November 2010 at Cashmere World, the 3-day fair for the international cashmere industry. For registration please visit http://www.cashmereworldfair.com

About Cashmere World

Cashmere World is an international trade fair for the entire cashmere industry -- from raw materials to finished products. It is a high-standard, annual meeting place that promotes the sustainability of the cashmere business through catalysing global fashion trends, technology innovations and promoting unique qualities that make cashmere one of the world's most loved luxury materials.

About the Organisers

CASHMERE WORLD is organised by 2 major players, CFNA and UBM. CFNA is under the jurisdiction of MOFCOM and also the country's only national association for the cashmere industry. UBM is a leading professional fair organiser with 110 international events under its operation.

Notes to Editors

1. About UBM Asia (http://www.ubmasia.com)

Owned by United Business Media Limited (UBM) listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia operates in 13 market sectors with headquarters in Hong Kong. We have over 130 media products in three categories: trade fairs, print and B2B portals. As Asia's leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in the two fastest growing markets in Asia: China and India, we stage the leading events of their kind across Asia. Our 110 events attract an annual attendance of 30,000 quality exhibitors and 1,270,000 visitors from all over the world to meet their target business partners face-to-face for business matching and networking. We publish high-quality trade publications for 191,000 industry professionals to capture the market trends and industry news. Complementing our exhibitions and publications are round-the-clock and industry-specific online B2B portals which provide a series of online trading networks, industry news hub and sourcing and marketing platforms for the world's trade buyers and suppliers. We have over 650 staff in 15 major cities in Asia.

2. About United Business Media (http://www.ubm.com)

UBM focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetisation of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists -- with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,400 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

3. About China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-Products (CFNA, http://www.cccfna.org.cn )

The China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-Products was established in September 1988. It has industry development as well as regulatory responsibilities, helps to implement policies and serves as a bridge between the industry and the government. At present, the chamber has 5,000 corporate members across the country, with 43 national-level sub-chambers covering all agricultural products. The Cashmere Sub-Chamber is one of these and has a history of more than ten years. Major members include the top 15 organisations which form the core of China's cashmere industry and whose export accounts for half of the national total.

    For press enquiries, please contact:

     Ms. Perrine Ardouin,
     Event Director - Fashion Team
     Tel:   +852-2827-6211
     Fax:   +852-3749-7310
     Email: [email protected]

SOURCE UBM China (Guangzhou) Co Ltd