Texmed trade fair, which had been organized by the CEPEX, the
CETTEX and the
FENATEX, welcomed 3000 visitors, 200 Tunisian exhibitors and 59 exhibitors from abroad.
Higher quality Tunisian textile
The rise of the export turnover (DT 1896.6 million at the end of April 2008, +2,9% for clothing, +34,1% for hosiery) shows the higher quality of Tunisian
textile and clothing. Moreover, experts have noticed repositioning towards higher value-added niches like bathing suits and underwear. The most dynamic markets are located in Italy (+ DT 72,9 million), in France (+ DT 37,8 million) and in the Netherlands (+ DT 15,6 million).
As regards the
Monastir cluster, the first lots for businesses should be available by the beginning of 2009.
France, guest of honour
1st
customer
(apparel, finished textile products), 2nd supplier and 1st foreign investor in Tunisia (400 French firms going offshore), France was this year Texmed's guest of honour.
The French delegation was made up of 15 exhibitors (gathered on a 180 square meters pavillon) and the main textile and apparel organizations (UIT, UFIH,
IFM...), which made some recommendations to Tunisia: improving logistics, marketing and business management, developing high value-added activities like smart textiles...
Up-Tex and Mfcpole partner clusters are due to meet on this last issue, in particular on textile for building.
Moreover, a cooperation agreement has been signed by the chairmand of the FENATEX, Abdelaziz Dahmani, the chairman of the
UIT, Lucien Deveaux and the co-chairman of the
UFIH,
Freddy Marcy. With a duration of 3 years (renewable), this agreement aims at supporting vocational training and exchange of knowledge, so as to further innovative projects in the textile and apparel sector.
Tunisia trying to regain the British market
With a regular drop of export towards England, Tunisia has become its 18th supplier, though exports of T-shirts and working clothes have been growing recently.
According to experts, to regain the British market, Tunisia should improve training, take interest in
trends, promote Tunisian textile abroad, master the English language and culture, target at small and medium sizes salesmen...