Chaozhou is not a very well-known city in China, but it has a record: it is the world's leading manufacturer of wedding dresses. Last year, exports of textile products from Chaozhou increased by 24%, and although the rate of increase has slowed this year (to 5,9% in the first quarter), orders have been picking up strongly lately. 80% of exported textiles are bridal and gala dresses, and Chaozhou supplies about half of all Chinese exports in this segment: the main destinations are Europe and America.
According to Liu Sirong, president of Chaozhou's largest exporter - the Jinchao Group - the demand for wedding dresses has not been affected by the crisis, and in recent times they have even had to give up orders because they would not be able to increase the production. They need to increase the workforce by at least 10%, but it is difficult to find skilled workers, especially in the creative department of designing new models. But, says the president, if many abroad continue to marry, it means that the crisis is not so bad.
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