Sub: 1st International SPORTS GOODS RAW MATERIAL Buyer Seller Meet at Jalandhar INDIA

The Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (SGMEA) is pleased to invite you for the captioned Buyer Seller Meet. The meet, supported by UNIDO-CDP, is being organised at Jalandhar in the last week of November 2004. It has been conceptualised for raw material requirements of the sports goods industry especially, for the members of the SGMEA who contribute to about 90% of India’s exports and more than 50% of domestic market for sporting goods.SGMEA has consolidated raw material requirements of its member & non member enterprises to offer volumes to the suppliers. These joint-purchase options would be negotiated during the buyer seller meet. The sports goods manufacturing industry, clustered in Jalandhar, is a centre of excellence for manufacturing of sports goods especially products like inflatable balls, sports protective equipment and boxing equipment. All these above-mentioned products need raw materials that are largely imported from China, Korea and Taiwan. Most of the enterprises in the cluster do not have direct access to the manufacturers / exporters of these materials and they have to go through a long distribution channel to get their requirements, which often add substantially to the costs. Moreover, lack of direct contact between the manufacturer and end user industry obstructs vital exchange of ideas on product development. The buyer seller meet will serve to provide a platform to plug these gaps, which will enhance the growth of the Industry More details on participation, the Jalandhar cluster, its raw material requirements and the proposed buyer seller meet are enclosed for your study and favourable response.To participate in the meet, please send the enclosed application form along with the participation fee to the undersigned latest by 15 September, 2004. I remain at your disposal for any further information or clarification in this regard.

Sincerely Yours,

Ajay Mahajan

Hon. Secretary