Russia funds UNIDO's programme to boost Armenian textiles

The aim of the second phase of the programme is to help boost sales of products produced by Armenian textile and clothing companies, as well as to embrace the leather and footwear sectors, said Anahit Simonyan, the coordinator of UNIDO programmes in Armenia.

"The programme will contribute to the revival of the textile, garment, leather and footwear industries and will as well strengthen Armenia's position in the international market," said Simonyan.

The programme 'Improving competitiveness of export-oriented industries in Armenia' will create many new jobs and encourage female employment, said Andrei Ivanov, an aide to the Russian ambassador in Armenia.

Under the pilot phase of UNIDO's two-year programme launched in 2014, representatives of eight participating companies, united under the single brand name '5900BC', were trained by Armenian and UNIDO experts for the development and production of a joint collection of fashionable clothes.

In addition, a fashion school Atex Burgo was set up in Yerevan in collaboration with the Milan based Fashion Institute Burgo.

In 2016, apparel production in Armenia increased by 16.4 per cent to 11.5 billion drams ($23.63 million), while textile manufacturing declined by 4.8 per cent to 466 million drams ($0.96 million). (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India