Page 22 - TEXtalks January/February 2022

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ITC Partnership with IAF to

boost garment exports and

welcomes new partners

International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the adapt to the latest trends. Therefore, ITC plans
International Trade Centre (ITC) have joined several activities to address digitalization for
hands to boost garment exports. ITC and IAF GTEX/MENATEX partners and engage in a more
signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborative relationship with brands and
support associations of garment manufacturers retailers using digital technologies.
and garment apparel manufacturing companies
in addressing emerging challenges related to Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative (STTI), led by
competitiveness. The Covid-19 pandemic has IAF, welcomed two new members and now covers
drastically accelerated changes in the textile and 11 manufacturing countries. The governing body AD
clothing sector more than ever, and companies of the STTI held its fifth global working group
are expected to demonstrate a rigorous level of meeting held on January 27th, welcoming two
corporate responsibility and commitment. Due new participants. From India, the Apparel Export
diligence regulations related to environmental, Promotion Council (AEPC) and from Egypt, new
social, and human rights in the United States and participant ECAHT were included. As a result,
the European Union, for example, urge now STTI brings together apparel industry
companies to have a high degree of verification associations from 11 countries which now include
throughout the supply chain to export to these Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar,
markets. Therefore, the partnership between ITC Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt
and IAF could be a game-changer. and Morocco.

During the collaboration, IAF will advise garment The International Apparel Federation (IAF) is the
manufacturers on rules of origin requirements, world’s leading federation for apparel
address new buyer requirements in markets, manufacturers, (SME) brands, their associations,
reduce the environmental footprint, and empower and the supporting industry. IAF’s membership
women’s work along the supply chain. now includes apparel associations and
Furthermore, the organizations will co-create companies from more than 40 countries, a
training in this regard. This initiative is membership that directly and indirectly represents
implemented under the International Trade over a hundred thousand companies and over 20
Centre’s Global Textiles and Clothing Programme million employees. IAF brings its members
(GTEX) in North Africa, the Middle East together to jointly create stronger, smarter and
more sustainable supply chains, it provides its
(MENATEX), Central Asia, and Madagascar. members with valuable information and guidance
Digitalization will also play an essential role in this and it represents its members on several
agreement. Amid the pandemic, digitalization has international platforms working incessantly on
become a crucial topic for the textile and clothing more industry standardisation and
industry: brands, retailers, and larger suppliers harmonisation, industry collaboration and
are expected to modernize their production and inclusiveness of solutions.

January/February 2022