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GTEX/MENATEX: Global Textiles and Clothing Programme

    Overview

    Summary

    The GTEX MENATEX is a five-year programme funded by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Swiss Confederation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), focusing on six priority countries (Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan and Tunisia). The programme aims to encourage exports of textiles and clothing from developing countries to promote employment and income generation throughout the value chain..

    Partners

    Sustainable Development Goals

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

    Projects

    Context

    Changing lives in the textile and clothing sector 

     

    ITC’s Global Textiles and Clothing Programme (GTEX) and its related work in the Middle East, North Africa (MENATEX) and Central Asia aims to create jobs and increase the income of micro small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the textile and clothing industry.  

    Our programme directly assists up to 179 MSMEs in denim, knitwear, sports, and leisurewear, and provides support to improve dyeing and finishing processes. We also help businesses diversify their exports and increase their international competitiveness, and give particular assistance to business support institutions (BSOs) and academic and vocational training institutions. 

    Strengthening the sector and boosting exports will have an enormous impact as the global industry employs up to an estimated 3.4 billion people along the value chain. 

    To achieve these goals, ITC works with governments on policies to improve the sector’s business environment and competitiveness.  

     

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    Diagram of countries and donors of ITC’s textiles and clothing projects

    Shaping the textile and clothing sector

    We support businesses in the textile and clothing (T&C) sector through training in knowledge management and best practices, as well asproviding strategic market and network linkages. The programme also facilitates access to sector-related networks and innovative initiatives to help shape the future of the sector. 

    Wo do this through: 

    • Training, coaching, and mentoring in areas such as lean management, material sourcing, product design and development, export marketing and branding, and digital upgrading. 

    • Improving social and environmental industry standards 

    • Linking enterprises to new markets and buyers as well as to financing mechanisms 

    • Developing innovative initiatives to help shape the future of the industry 

     

    Framework of the GTEX/MENATEX Programm
    Framework of the GTEX/MENATEX Programm
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    Turning the COVID-19 economic crisis into opportunities 

    Globally the textiles and clothing sector was badly hit by the COVID-19 crisis. To support the industry, ITC through GTEX/MENATEX helped companies pivot into digital processes, increase their online presence, and remodel their traditional production lines into personal protective equipment and face masks. 

    We also continued to help business support organizations strengthen their management and operations processes and improve services to their members. 

    Strengthening the sector and boosting exports will have an enormous impact as the global industry employs up to an estimated 3.4 billion people
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    Resources

    ITC contact

    Head of the GTEX MENATEX Programme
    Matthias
    Knappe
    Email
    knappe [at] intracen.org