Future prospects for a new industry

Textile Industry in a global context is looking at new fibres, new applications, new developments in the New Millenium. This Sri Lankan industry hitherto is only consolidating its garment industry which in year 2005 will be facing many challenges with the changes taking place in the World Trade Scenario. Textiles are defined as fibrous assemblies traditionally used for the making up of apparel. Textiles are also used in shoes, handbags and head gear apart from what is draped on the human body. Textiles are commonly and traditionally used for many household purposes too. The Sri Lankan Industry is operating at this end of the market where the non traditional textiles used in a number of other applications are increasing in its importance. These applications are smaller in scale but are very much higher in value. As a single group these could be referred to as Technical Textiles. It is time that we focus our attention to these unexplored market niches in the Textile Industry