Jordan: Improving the international competitiveness of the textile and clothing sector (MENATEX)

    Overview

    Summary

    The MENATEX Jordan project is part of the Textiles and Clothing (T&C) programme for the MENA region (MENATEX) which, in addition to Jordan also covers Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. The project is funded by the Government of Sweden.

    MENATEX Jordan intends to increase Jordan’s export competitiveness in the T&C sector. The envisaged impact of the project is to increase employment and income along the T&C value chain. To achieve this long-term objective, the project foresees to accomplish two major outcomes. The first one is related to the institutional infrastructure around the sector, including policy aspects, where required, and is formulated as “Improved business environment and TISI performance in the T&C sector”. The second outcome targets the enterprise level, which is formulated as “Improved competitiveness of SMEs in the T&C sector”. A total of 30 enterprises are benefiting from in-depth project support.

    Recipients

    Partners

    Sustainable Development Goals

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

    Context

    Changing lives in the textile and clothing sector 

    The ITC  MENATEX project in Jordan focuses on capacity building in the textile and clothing sector, one of the country’s main drivers of industrial development and job creation.  The project’s goal is to increase productivity leading to more jobs and income, and ultimately improve people’s lives. 

    For example, Jordan's leather and weaving industry took qualitative leaps over the past two decades, attracting investments from international brands, which led to increased production, improved operations and thousands of new jobs. 85% of Jordan’s textile and clothing are now exported to the US market. 

    We provide direct technical aid in terms of market and product diversification to 21 businesses, as well as working with several Trade and Investment Support institutions supporting the sector. The project also targets satellite units due to their role and importance in creating job opportunities for refugees and women from rural areas. 

    Turning the COVID-19 into opportunities

    The apparel industry sector in Jordan, one of the largest employers in the country, was one of the  sectors most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. In 2021, local demand crashed. At the same time, the pandemic affected the entire supply chain, making it more difficult to access and import raw materials, which led to a decline in production and an increase in costs. 

    Some companies were unable to pay their workers, while others cut back salaries. With ITC’s support, several factories in the leather and knitting sectors pivoted their production to surgical masks, suits, shoes and sheets and transformed to produce medical supplies and masks. They met national needs and exported the surplus to 30 countries around the world. 

    Increasing exports of textile and clothing will positively affect women-owned businesses and support a new generation of women entrepreneurs.
    Do not show
    ITC under the MENATEX activities strengthened our company skills to develop our business plans and identify clear objectives while mitigating risks. We are confident in our company’s development because of the various trainings received leading to more efficiency and better understanding of our management.
    ITC under the MENATEX activities strengthened our company skills to develop our business plans and identify clear objectives while mitigating risks. We are confident in our company’s development because of the various trainings received leading to more efficiency and better understanding of our management.
    Khaldoon Kataln
    Executive manager of Al-SAMAH
    The MENATEX project brings innovative opportunities to increase Jordan’s textile and clothing exports. It is an opportunity for us to strengthen the industry and improve our trade connections with the other countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
    The MENATEX project brings innovative opportunities to increase Jordan’s textile and clothing exports. It is an opportunity for us to strengthen the industry and improve our trade connections with the other countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
    Ihab Qadri
    Jordan Chamber of Industry
    ITC has been a vital partner to support a company owned and managed by women. Increasing the exports of the textile and clothing sector in Jordan will positively affect women-owned businesses and support a new generation of women entrepreneurs to improve the competitiveness of their production.
    ITC has been a vital partner to support a company owned and managed by women. Increasing the exports of the textile and clothing sector in Jordan will positively affect women-owned businesses and support a new generation of women entrepreneurs to improve the competitiveness of their production.
    Nancy Salem
    CEO of Jordan Exports
    Since our company joined the MENATEX project, we have had the opportunity to attend numerous trainings and coaching sessions that are helping our company, for example, modernizing the production using the lean methodology to increase productivity while decreasing the waste of time and materials.
    Since our company joined the MENATEX project, we have had the opportunity to attend numerous trainings and coaching sessions that are helping our company, for example, modernizing the production using the lean methodology to increase productivity while decreasing the waste of time and materials.
    Yaseen Abualrous
    Owner of the Noorway Clothing Company

    Resources

    ITC contact

    Eman
    Beseiso
    Email
    beseiso [at] intracen.org