To guide the European textile and clothing sector towards its renaissance, the Euratex General Assembly has re-elected Alberto Paccanelli as president. The General Assembly also appointed Euratex vice-presidents, Jean-François Gribomont, Gregory Marchant, Hadi Karasu and Bodo Bölzle.
European textiles and clothing companies proved to be essential to managing the pandemic, as a great number converted to or increased the production of PPE. But this strategic role goes beyond the past events, as, without textile materials, no cars, clothes, machines or buildings can be built. "The last months highlighted then the necessity for the whole sector and its value chain to undergo a renewal process and enter the future more competitive and greener. The textile industry is ready for this challenge and developed a recovery strategy," Euratex said in a press release.
Euratex’s plan requires considerable resources and a coherent set of measures, both on short term and on a structural basis. While the European Commission and Member States already put in place some quick recovery moves, such as the re-opening of shops and companies and the guarantee of well-functioning markets and supply chains, it is now time to define the long-term vision, the release said
"Europe should endorse the strategic importance of the European textiles and apparel sector, promote the development of an integrated ecosystem with the EU and its neighbouring countries, invest on innovation and skills, and turn circularity into a source of competitiveness. The deployment of these durable measures must be now," Euratex said.
To make the strategy tangible and concrete, Euratex has developed five flagship initiatives:
“This crisis showed the importance of our industry and now, more than ever, it’s essential to develop the competitiveness of the European ecosystem. The “EU Next Generation” package can play an important role and support the textile and clothing industry in its renaissance,” said Paccanelli.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)