The 60th Garment Buyers & Sellers Meet and B2B Expo, organised by the West Bengal Garment Manufacturers and Dealers Association (WBGMDA), began at Science City in Kolkata on Sunday.
The three-day event, running from July 12 to July 14, spans 2 lakh sq ft and brings together more than 1,000 national and international brands showcasing readymade garments for children, men and women.
According to the organisers, the business-to-business expo is expected to generate wholesale trade worth around Rs 1,600 crore. The event was attended by representatives of the state government, industry leaders and corporate houses.
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The curtain rises on a grand trade gathering
The expo was inaugurated by Samik Bhattacharya, BJP West Bengal president and Rajya Sabha MP; Tapas Roy, West Bengal minister for commerce and industries; Umesh Rai, minister of state for municipal affairs and urban development; Rajendra Singh Rathore, former member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly; Dilip Singh, MLA; and Ritesh Tiwari, MLA. Senior office-bearers of WBGMDA, including president Hari Kishan Rathi, senior vice-president Vijay Kariwala, vice-president Pradeep Murarka, honorary secretary Devendra Baid and executive committee member Manish Agarwal, were also present.
A milestone stitched with ambition
“The 60th Garment Buyers & Sellers Meet & B2B Expo marks a significant milestone in the journey of WBGMDA,” Rathi said.
He added that the platform has evolved into one of eastern India’s key business networking events for the garment industry by bringing together manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and leading brands.
With participation from over 1,000 brands and buyers from across India and overseas, he said the event is expected to strengthen trade partnerships, create new business opportunities and contribute to the growth of West Bengal’s garment and textile sector.
Trade, talent and tomorrow’s promise
Baid said the garment industry is among the largest employment generators and an important contributor to the state’s economy. He said the expo aims to provide a platform for businesses to connect, explore emerging market trends and expand their reach.
Baid also thanked the West Bengal government, exhibitors, buyers, industry stakeholders and association members for supporting the 60th edition.
“We believe the event will generate business worth nearly Rs. 1,600 crore and further accelerate the growth of the industry,” he said.
A legacy cut from enduring cloth
Founded in 1962, WBGMDA represents the ready-made garment industry in eastern India and has more than 570 members.
The association organises biannual Garment Buyers and Sellers Meets, seminars and industry outreach programmes while also assisting members in understanding government policies and resolving arbitration disputes.
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FAQs
Q1: What is the WBGMDA Garment Buyers & Sellers Meet and B2B Expo?
The WBGMDA Garment Buyers & Sellers Meet and B2B Expo is a trade event that brings together garment manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and brands to promote business networking and wholesale trade.
Q2: How many brands are participating in the 60th WBGMDA Garment Expo?
According to the organisers, more than 1,000 national and international brands are participating in the three-day expo at Science City, Kolkata.