The release of a school of robotic fishes marked the opening ceremony of the 15th Asian Chemical Fiber Industries Federation Conference 2026, currently taking place at the Penang Marriott Hotel here.
Guest of honour was YB Steven Sim, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Malaysia along with YB Sim Tze Tzin, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry.
Some 200 delegates from 11 nations namely, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan,Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia who account for over 70 per cent of global man-made fiber production are making their presence.
Also present was HE Machida Shinya, Consul-General of Japan In Penang, Regina Leong, President of Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association (MTMA) and Chairman of ACFIF along with Dato Sri Tan Thian Poh, Honorary President of MTMA among others.
The theme for this year is “Greening The Supply Chain: Sustainability Practices For The Future”.
In his opening address, Steven Sim stressed the importance of this region as being the supplier of raw materials for the industry to the world. He also reiterated that this region is also the supplier of manpower and also the final consumer of the final finished product.
It is only the second time that the conference is being held in Malaysia and Penang.Several international speakers will also present their papers at the conference.
Meanwhile, Sim Tze Tzin, welcomed delegates to Penang and stressed the importance of the industry globally.
“Asia holds approximately 54.1 per cent of the global textile market share. Asia is also the undisputed powerhouse of the global textile industry, acting as the world’s largest producer, exporter and a rapidly growing consumer pbase,” he said.
VIP guests and delegates also posed for a group photo to mark the occasion.