The Mexican textile industry today sealed sales agreements for $55 million dollars with domestic and U.S. buyers during the meeting “Connecting the Mexican Textile Industry with the World”, in which more than 200 exporting companies of the country and a hundred foreign and local buyers participated.

According to estimates by the organizers, the agenda of more than 2,500 business appointments opens the door to an annual market of close to 8 billion dollars for Mexican textile suppliers, from yarns and technical fabrics to finished garments.

"This conference reflects the potential of our industry when there is coordination between the public and private sectors. Our goal is to strengthen supply chains, increase national content and generate formal employment in Mexico," said Rafael Zaga, president of the National Chamber of the Textile Industry (Canaintex).

Among the buyers who placed orders were U.S. fashion and lingerie chains, while domestic retail and textile manufacturing firms strengthened their local sourcing programs.

Six companies, Baby Creysi, Global Denim, Dichi, Dichi, Flexico, Grupo Textil Providencia and Manufacturas Kaltex, have also obtained the Made in Mexico distinction, which will enable them to identify their products with the seal of origin in international markets and in contracts with large retailers.

The business conference, promoted by the Ministry of Economy, is part of a sector strategy that includes differentiated tariffs on imports from countries without a trade agreement and anti-piracy actions. However, private actors insist that the real detonator will be to continue expanding regional chains, take advantage of the relocation trend and reduce delivery times for fast fashion brands.

With more than 400,000 direct jobs, the textile-apparel sector remains one of the top five manufacturing complexes in the country. Canaintex forecasts that, if the letters of intent signed today are converted into firm orders over the next year, the sector's exports could grow by up to 15% by 2026, with an emphasis on denim and technical fabrics.