Kyrgyzstan: Improving the international competitiveness of the textile and clothing sector (GTEX)

Fibres, textiles and clothing

Overview

Summary

The project for Kyrgyzstan is developed within the framework of the Global Textiles and Clothing (GTEX) programme, implmented by ITC and funded by the Government of Switzerland. The GTEX programme is to increase export competitiveness in the Textile and Clothing sector in five selected countries. These are Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia in North Africa and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in Central Asia.The project in Kyrgyztsan builds upon the achievements of the previous technical assistance projects delivered by ITC in cooperation with SECO in the textile and clothing sector and aims to create knowledge and capacities at institutional level to serve enterprises and meet their demand for services. The project will continue to support selected SMEs by connecting them to markets and value chains.

View more on the Open Data Portal

Partners

Funder

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland

Implementer

LEGPROM - Association of Enterprises of Light Industry Kyrgyz Kaput

Implementer

Fashion Designer’s Association

Sustainable Development Goals

This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals, as defined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Context

GTEX supporting second largest industry of Kyrgyzstan

ITC’s Global Textiles and Clothing Programme (GTEX) and its related work in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia aims to create jobs and increase the income of small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the textile and clothing industry (T&C). Strengthening the sector and boosting exports will have an enormous impact as the entire garment industry employs up to an estimated 150,000 people, 90% of whom are women. Most of the businesses are also women-owned.

In Kyrgyzstan, ITC invests in educational institutions such as the “Industria Kadrov” training centre to link academia to the textile and clothing sector, and to help students and young women qualify to work in the national apparel and fashion design sectors.

Rebounding from the COVID-19 economic crisis

Kyrgyzstan’s clothing sector was badly hit by the COVID-19 economic upheaval. Businesses had to cope with a lack of raw materials, personnel, financial resources, and logistical problems, making their finished products less competitive. 

To support the Kyrgyzstan textile and clothing industry, we adjusted our approach to focus on digitalizing operations. This helped companies improve their digital processes and online presence, making them more competitive.

Our client companies rebounded thanks to our project’s support, with some showing a 10% increase in production volumes and a 20 % increase in exports. Some of our clients are building for the future by investing in specialized equipment, infrastructure, strengthening staff capacities, and expanding into new technologies.

The future of a young woman with a disability will depend on our society providing her with opportunities and access to education and work. Together with ITC we are promoting training and workshops about social responsibility. The GTEX project is helping to empower women and bring inclusivity to the textile and clothing sector in Kyrgyzstan.

Fariza

Owner of SAIMA art project

With the trainings on digitalization and marketing, the GTEX project supported our company to shift the production and focus on online sales to overcome the pandemic. As a result, we expanded our client base and doubled our turnover last year. We invested it in a plot of land and built our own workshop.

Anastasia Beltz

Owner of BelMaRo company

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we experienced a shortage of workers that left our company on the edge of closure, we needed solutions. The GTEX project helped us to find alternatives to continue production while keeping our employees safe.

Nurzhan Kunasova

Owner of the Barkhat company

With support of the GTEX Programme, we are strengthening the work of the Training Centre “Industria Kadrov” and the capacities of representatives of Textiles & Cothing sector related academic institutions so that they can prepare qualified specialists for the industry. Qualified staff play an important role in the development of the Textiles & Cothing industry.