EURATEX reaches out to Ukrainian textile industry

The connection will be helpful to match supply and demand (e.g. there are many requests for supplies of fabrics), engage in public procurement, offering company-to-company support. The service will be coordinated by EURATEX in close cooperation with UKRLEGPROM, the Ukrainian association of enterprises of textile & leather industry. Olena Garkusha, an experienced manager coming from the Ukrainian textile industry and now based in Brussels, will act as contact point, EURATEX said in a press release.

EU exports to Ukraine reached €1.3 billion in 2021 (13^th market), whereas imports from Ukraine reached €500 million (21^st place). There is potential to expand that relationship, both in the short term - to respond to urgent needs, e.g. in military and medical fabrics - but also in the longer run; as a partner in the PEM Convention, Ukraine can play an important role in Europe’s textile and apparel supply chain. The proposed suspension of tariffs on imported products from Ukraine by the EU will offer further opportunities.

“Supporting the textile industry is our way to help the people of Ukraine. We encourage our European members to connect via EUTI and develop sustainable partnerships,” EURATEX director general Dirk Vantyghem said.

“Today, we have many textile and apparel companies in Ukraine with expertise and skilled workers; they are able and willing to work with the EU, but lack the contacts, customers and supplies. EUTI will help them,” Tetyana Izovit, president-chief of the board of UKRLEGPROM, said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)