'Textile is a crucial sector for Mediterranean region'

18 Apr '14

2 min read

Textile is a major source of trade and a crucial sector for the Mediterranean region, according to Sen. Lhou Lmarbouh, Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM).

In his opening speech at a two-day dialogue on ‘Creativity, Design, Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights in Textile and Clothing Industry in the Euro-Mediterranean Area’, Sen. Lmarbouh (Morocco) said, “Textile is a crucial sector for the Mediterranean region and a major source for trade in the region.”

The event was held last month in Florence, the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue on textile industry discussing design, creativity, innovation and Intellectual Property Rights.

“For some Mediterranean countries, such as Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco, the textile and clothing sector alone accounts for almost 50 percent of exports of manufactured products to the EU. Of course, this intense trade means jobs – 50 percent of the total employment, in some countries – especially for women,” said Sen. Lmarbouh.

“The countries of the MENA region have a significant advantage if compared to the countries of the Far East: the geographical proximity to Europe, which keeps the costs of transportation low and allows any order to be completed fast,” he added.

The main objective of the conference was to exchange experiences regarding policies, practices and programmes about creativity, design, innovation and IPR as substantial economic lever to improve brand image, sales and profitability of companies in textile and clothing sector in the Euro-Mediterranean Area.

About 140 participants from 35 countries ( European Union, Mediterranean and Western Balkans) representing national administrations, industrial associations, companies, fashion and design schools, education and research centres, specializing in innovation in textiles and clothing, discussed how to stimulate and support the creativity and innovation of textile and clothing companies across the region, while protecting their intangible assets.

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