Even though there is sometime to go until ITMA opens its gates, the pre-arrangements for the most important exhibition of the textile machinery in the world are now running at full speed.Thomas Waldmann, Managing Director of German Engineering Federation (VDMA) visited Pakistan in October 2007 to present the salient highlights of ITMA 2007.

He was addressing a joint press conference at a local hotel with Eugen Egetenmeir, Deputy Managing Director, Messe Munchen Gmbh. They pointed out that hundreds of visitors from Pakistan have visited ITMA in the past because Pakistan is one of the leading textile manufacturing countries.

Waldmann said that ITMA 2007 would be the most important trade fair for the textile industry, which can be judged from the theme of the exhibition “The place for innovation.” Visitors can see for themselves the innovations introduced by textile machinery manufacturers around the world in a highly competitive market.

ITMA 2007 would cover the complete textile chain. Exhibitors and visitors can expect a wide range of machines, accessories and innovations, where all areas of the textile chain will be presented.

ITMA is the largest and most renowned trade fair of international textile engineering and the all-encompassing industry meeting place at the same time. Machines and accessories are presented extending from spinning to flat fabric production (weaving, knitting and non-woven manufacture) all the way to finishing and manufacturing ready-made clothes including relevant products such as software, material flow logistics, test and measurement equipment, waste water treatment and textile chemicals. Consequently, ITMA is also designed for customers, who are searching for solutions for very different areas in the textile chain.

He pointed out that ITMA 2007, would have a clear focus on innovation, widening of existing product categories, hierarchical numbering system and new product categories and sectors.

Giving a break up of the textile machinery exports by origin, Waldmann said that over 66.5% is exported out of Europe, 27.7% from Asia and 5.9% from North America. Eugen Egetenmeir explained that ITMA takes place every four years, at alternating venue. Each ITMA fair attracts over 100,000 visitors and more than 1,200 exhibitors from all around the world. “ITMA 2007 will take up the entire exhibition capacity at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre,” he added.

He briefed the media that as ITMA 2007 special arrangements have been made for the Muslim visitors and exhibitors at the Munich Trade Fair ground, which include: separate prayer rooms for men and women and halal food service.

The European umbrella organisation CEMATEX, which comprises nine European member associations, is the owner of ITMA and has selected the Textile Machinery Association of the VDMA to engage Messe München to hold the event in 2007.
Baber Ayaz, Managing Director, Mediators Private Limited said, “Pakistan is an important country for such shows and  Messe München International is perfectly equipped to host such a large show.”

Messe München International (MMI, Munich Trade Fairs International Group) is one of the world’s leading trade-fair companies. Each year over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over two million visitors from more than 200 countries take part in the events in Munich. In addition, MMI organizes trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South America.