AEPC rolls out virtual exhibition platform to boost apparel exports

Amid measures to boost exports, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has come up with a virtual platform to exhibit garments made by Indian apparel exporters round the year where brands and buyers from across the world can visit and place their orders.

"Holding international exhibitions has become difficult due to travel restrictions related to coronavirus. To overcome this, we have set up a virtual platform to exhibit our products 24×7, 365 days a year," AEPC Chairman A. Sakthivel said.

He said that the council studied the virtual platforms of several international organisations and has come up with an improved version where buyers can have a near physical experience of the exhibition while navigating through the options in high resolution.

The platform offers free flowing two-way communication between buyers and exhibitors through video call and WhatsApp chat facilities. Exhibitors have the real time flexibility to change their products on display and have the security feature of allowing only select buyers into their stalls. Buyers can collect products on their 'Wishlist' for discussion.

"Usually we have a set of buyers from a set of countries with whom we do business. But with this virtual platform, we can get orders from new buyers and from new countries as it is open to everyone in the world. I expect at least 500 exporters to enroll for this virtual platform in the initial phase," Sakthivel said.

There would be separate showrooms for medical textiles in the exhibition, he added..