Two central Asian countries,
namely Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, are looking to better understand the
international textile and clothing industry thanks to assistance from the
Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC).
A group of around 30
representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and
clothing sectors in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan participated in a study tour to
Paris organized by ITC, which included visits to the Texworld and Première Vision
Pluriel International trade fairs, and to important fashion and clothing
retail areas of Paris. The market study tour was organized on a cost-sharing
basis with the enterprises, ensuring the ownership of results by the
beneficiaries.
The aim of the tour was to
improve the visitors’ understanding of key market requirements of international
buyers and quality standards, and also the competition they face.
The study visit came as one of
the first initiatives of a three-year ITC trade promotion project in the two
countries launched in September 2009 and financed by the Swiss Secretariat for
Economic Affairs (SECO). The project is contributing to the sustainable
expansion and diversification of SMEs’ exports by increasing the
competitiveness of textile and clothing industries in existing and new markets
and improving quality management infrastructure.
“Study tours like this are
central to our delivery of the Aid for Trade agenda,” commented ITC Executive
Director Patricia R. Francis. “In this way we can support entrepreneurs – many
of them women – in improving their knowledge and understanding of world
markets, gaining insights into market developments and international trends,
and understanding what is needed to sell successfully.”
Anne de Chambrier of SECO’s Economic Cooperation and
Development Division commented: “I am confident that the market study visit
will contribute to increasing the awareness of Tajik
and Kyrgyz companies about the requirements of the international textile and
clothing market and thus open the door to new exciting business opportunities.
SECO fully supports this hands-on and relevant activity, as well as the
professional way it was organized. The projects beneficiaries demonstrated
their commitment among others through the cost-sharing principle and a strong
involvement at the fairs. SECO encourages
ITC to continue such targeted assistance.”
As well as getting first-hand
exposure to latest trends in the industry, the study tour included
opportunities for participants to learn about international practices in
exhibiting products and to expand their network of business contacts.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are both low-income, landlocked countries. In
Kyrgyzstan, the fibre, textiles and clothing sector accounts for 7.1% of
industrial output and employs some 150,000 people, of whom 70% are women.
Development of the textile and clothing sector is a priority of the Tajik Government,
which considers the sector to have significant potential for growth and making
a contribution to export diversification.
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