The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support garment manufacturing companies in addressing emerging challenges related to competitiveness.

The collaboration between the ITC and the IAF will also support associations of garment manufacturers and apparel manufacturing companies themselves in understanding the governance structure of the global apparel value chain and industrial relations between brands and retailers and supplying garment manufacturers.

IAF will advise garment manufacturers on rules of origin requirements, address new buyer requirements in markets, reduce the environmental footprint of garment manufacturing and empower women’s work along the supply chain. ITC and IAF will co-create training in this regard.

Digitalisation will also play an essential role in this agreement. Amid the pandemic, digitalisation has become a crucial topic for the textile and clothing industry. Brands, retailers and larger suppliers are expected to modernise their production and adapt to the latest trends.

The initiative is implemented under the International Trade Centre’s Global Textiles and Clothing Programme (GTEX) in North Africa, Middle East (MENATEX), Central Asia and Madagascar.

ITC plans several activities to address digitalisation for GTEX/MENATEX partners and how to engage in a more collaborative relationship with brands and retailers using digital technologies. 

“The garment sector is an ever-changing industry that requires companies to closely follow global trends and requirements to be internationally competitive and continuously export. ITC wants to ensure its partners and beneficiary companies in developing countries have the best support to meet the environmental and human rights requirements of global buyers,” Matthias Knappe, head of the fibres, textiles and clothing unit at the International Trade Centre, says.

He adds: “ITC, through its GTEX and MENATEX programmes, shares with IAF a strong focus on apparel industry associations, recognising that through the support of these organisations many companies can be supported with the continuous improvement of their competitiveness.

“IAF welcomes the opportunity to have its knowledge and network join forces with ITC’s knowledge and network to provide optimal support to the industry associations and their member companies involved.”

Delegates at the recent 36th International Apparel Federation (IAF) World Fashion Convention heard collaboration and resilience in the apparel supply chain are seen as key to helping the global fashion industry transition into providing more sustainable operations post-Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Crietee is among the industry executives who have shared their thoughts on what to expect in the year ahead with Just Style.