Germany to assist Macedonian textile firms

27 Feb '12

2 min read

Textile and garment companies in former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia will be able to enhance their global competitiveness by December this year, owing to an agreement between Macedonian Ministry of Economy and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The agreement is for implementation of the second stage of “Enhancement of Investments and Exports” project, under which Germany will provide financial assistance of €1.9 million.

The first stage of the project was launched in 2008 with €600,000 assistance for improving competitiveness of Macedonian companies belonging to the textile and garment sectors, among others. The first stage was completed in December 2009.

Besides the GIZ's German-Macedonian development cooperation that falls under the purview of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Macedonian textile cluster and the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion are also involved as project partners.

Valon Saraqini, Macedonian Minister of Economy, said the second stage of project would not only enrich the international competitiveness of the country's textile and clothing sectors, but would also generate jobs, and boost exports and investment.

He informed that the project would work in three levels. At the macro level, focus would be on developing a strategy for increasing investments and export. At the meso level, stress would be on strengthening production capacity of companies, and the micro level would involve discussion and meetings, participation in international fairs and events, and publishing of promotional materials.

Michael Nebelung, GIZ country director, said Germany has supported Macedonia since 1992 with the primary objective of its economic development. He said GIZ has provided support for several Macedonian projects.

During the last two decades, Germany has released €61 million to support various projects in Macedonia.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India