Despite the current global economic slowdown, leading textile machinery manufacturers around the world are still attracted to prospects offered by the world’s largest textile producer - China. This can be seen from the overwhelming response received by the combined textile machinery show, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012, which will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 12 to 16 June 2012.

With the additional 6 000 square metres of exhibition space, the show will now gross over 132 000 square metres, 30% larger than the previous event in 2010. More than 1 230 exhibitors from 27 countries and regions will take part. Lots of cutting-edge solutions, as well as sustainability and energy efficient machinery and processes will be showcased by local and international textile machinery makers.

Chinese exhibitors make up the biggest country group, booking around 50 percent of the total exhibition space. Besides China,the top participating countries in terms of space applications are Germany, Italy, Japan and Switzerland.

Sector-wise, spinning machinery forms the largest sector. This is followed by knitting, dyeing and finishing, weaving and winding.

It is no doubt that this combined show will continue to offer leading textile machinery makers a cost-effective international platform, and plenty of business and networking opportunities not only in China, but also the whole Asia.