Home / News / Japan eyes Thailand as medical textiles hub

Japan eyes Thailand as medical textiles hub

28 Mar '16

2 min read

Thailand could soon become a major high-tech textile producer with Japanese investors showing interest in producing textiles for medical use in the country and making it a regional hub for innovative garments and medical equipment, the Bangkok Post has reported.

The newspaper quoted the Chairman of the National Federation of Thai Textile Industries, Somsak Srisuponvanit as saying that Japanese textile companies using high technology would seek local partners to invest in the production of special garments and textiles for medical use.

"The government is promoting a new investment policy under the concept of clusters, expecting to bring Thai industries to the next level, focused on added value," Somsak said. "Thai textiles and garments also have strong potential to grow and add higher value."

With new investment in innovation, garment and textile businesses could shift to value-added textiles such as disinfected bed sheets for hospitals and scrubs for personnel, he said.

Somsak said he had discussed the idea with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and various Japanese companies. He said there is an opportunity for Thailand's garment and textile industry to move up to high-tech garments.

He said the textile and garment industry needs to shift away from the lower market where competition has intensified with countries that have the advantage of low labour costs, such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

Switching to innovative products would help the garment industry enter the premium market with fewer competitors and higher added value, he said.

Thailand is also working with Sri Lanka on business matching to facilitate new investment in the sector.

A Sri Lankan delegation of 25 garment companies recently visited Thailand to meet 60 Thai counterparts in order to create investment.

Somsak said he expects the value of Thailand's garment exports to grow 10 per cent this year to $8.6 billion. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India