As Sri Lanka’s annual apparel exports closed at the crucial US $ 5 billion mark, South America’s largest apparel market was given a preview of Lankan fashion when Brazil International Apparel Sourcing Show 2015 (BIAS 2015) opened in Sao Paulo recently.

Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) officials led a delegation consisting of reps from six companies to BIAS 2015, the leading international apparel show of Brazil and South America showcasing leading Asian apparel manufacturers for worldwide exports. 

A B2B platform for Asian apparel manufacturers and international buyers, BIAS is also said to be ‘the biggest meeting place of apparel manufacturers and suppliers of Asia-Pacific focusing on buyers from the USA, EU, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. BIAS 2015 showcased products of South and Southeast Asian countries such as India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka in over 225 stalls. BIAS 2015 attracted buyers not only from Brazil but also from other South American countries such as Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela, etc.  

The Sri Lankan delegation consisted of reps from Sumithra Garments, Garment Services Meegoda, Rakshaa, Haward Fashions, Fashion Works and Ravi Tharu Holdings. Among the Lankan apparel items showcased at BIAS 2015 were men’s and women’s jackets, trousers, shirts, boxer shorts, men’s undergarments, women and girls’ blouses, dresses, pants and  casual wear. 

Brazil is the largest apparel market in South America. The Brazilian apparel market stood at US $ 42 billion in 2013/14, while the second largest South American apparel market, Mexico, was only US $ 14 billion in the same period. The EDB and Lankan apparel industry identified Brazil as an important emerging market for Lankan apparels. The EDB facilitated the first-ever delegation to Brazil in 2014 with the participation of nine Lankan companies. As a result of 2014 B2B meetings, many business contacts have been directly established with Brazilian brands and international brands and retailers.
Sri Lanka exported US $ 18 million apparels to Brazil in 2014. In 2014, Brazil ranked the 22nd buyer of Lankan apparels standing above Saudi Arabia and immediately below Ireland.