Meeting Report on 13th Board Meeting and 7th General Assembly Arab Federation For Textile Industry
Meeting Report on
13th Board Meeting and 7th General Assembly
Arab Federation For Textile Industry
The textile sector in the Arab world is a crucial one as it secures millions of Arab citizens with either employment or by providing them with final products. In May 2010, leaders and experts of Arab textile professionals gathered in Aleppo, Syria, to discuss , exchange views and draw conclusions on the best ways of boosting textile and clothing industry in Arab countries. During a four-day extended discussion, the 13th board meeting and the 7th General Assembly of the Arab Federation for Textile Industry (AFTI) were held in May 2-5 , 2010.
Reports Shehata Semida from Aleppo.
The meeting was inaugurated by Eng. Nassief Al Asaad , representative of Ministry of Industry in Syria ; Mr. Abdel Ghany Fakhry, representative of Dr. Ahmed Ahmed Geweli , Secretary General of The Council of Arab Economic Unity ; Mr. Mohamed Sabbagh Sharabatti , president of AFTI ; Eng. Hachimi Koali , AFTI vice-president ; and Dr. Saleh Azizi , Secretary General of AFTI. Among Arab textile elites were. Mr. Hashem El Doghry , vice-president of the Egyptian Chamber of Textile Industry as well as representatives of textiles and clothing companies from Tunisia , Lebanon , Jordan , Kuwait, Iraq ,Egypt and Turkey.
Dr.Saleh Azizi
During the inauguration session, Dr. Saleh Azizi , Secretary General of AFTI , stressed the importance of cooperation among Arab textile communities to develop their industries on the one hand and to meet challenges imposed by global scenarios on the other hand. One of these scenarios is the setback of world textile and clothing trade by (- 8.4 %) in 2009 compared to 2008. The major influence of this setback in the region was the fall of textile exports in most of the Mediterranean countries. Dr. Azizi reflected also the Syrian deep interest in boosting Arab economic integration as an inevitable step towards achieving welfare in Arab communities. On a statistical basis, Dr. Azizi stated that the value of world trade in textiles and clothing decreased from 612.1 US$ billion in 2008 to 561 US$ billion in 2009. He pointed out that exports of major Mediterranean countries like Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco to Europe went down by more than ( -15 % ) in 2009 compared to previous year. Jordan` s exports to USA went down by (-17.6) in 2009 as well to contribute to the falling scenario.
Eng.Mohamed Sabbagh Sharabati
Mr. Mohamed Sabbagh Sharabatti , president of AFTI , expressed the federation interest in cooperating with the Council of Arab Economic Unity especially after the Arab Free Trade Agreement came into effect. He stressed that the main objective of the federation is to create an integrated formula of cooperation among Arab states. He invited also Arab textile communities to make use of the competitive advantages of some countries in the region as an incentive for establishing more investments.
Mr. Sharabatti clarified that the global financial crisis had great impacts on global market; including textile and clothing market. Among such impacts was the increase of production costs in many countries in western Asia and China. In addition, new investments in spinning and weaving decreased in many European countries and Turkey. As a result, global impacts and challenges direct Arab textile communities towards establishing more partnerships among one another if they want to survive. It also opens the way for more cooperation with Turkey especially in marketing and technical consultations.
As a president of AFTI , Sharabatti shed light on the activities of the federation among which were many recommendations reported to the Council of Arab Economic Unity with the aim of boosting cooperation among members. He stressed the importance of scientific and technical cooperation among leading organizations in member states such as Textile and Clothing Technical Center in Tunisia, National Research Center in Egypt, Information and Decision Support Center in Egypt, Textile Development Center in Syria as well as other relative organizations.
The textile sector plays a crucial role in the development of many Arab states, reported Eng. Nassief Al Asaad in his word he gave on behalf of H.E. Minister of Industry in Syria. «The development of textile and clothing industry contribute to the development of investment , competitiveness , exports , growth and labor and they all contribute to the development of social welfare and per capita income» said Al Asaad. He shed light on the various obstacles the textile sector faces in the Arab world. Such problems include the weakness of vertical integration of production inputs, the inefficiency of supply chains, violating rules of origin and the fashion gap. Al Asaad gave the audiences hopes for better future as he stressed that Arab states are capable of achieving more development . He clarified that many of the leading industrial Arab states are developed because of the textile sectors which transformed these states from agricultural countries to industrial ones.
The meeting witnessed a very valuable presentation on the development of textile machinery in Turkey , The cooperation between the Council of Arab Economic Unity and AFTI was the major focus throughout Mr. Abdel Ghany Fakhry` s speech, which he delivered on behalf of Dr. Ahmed Ahmed Geweli , secretary general of the council. The presentation shed light on the historical background of textiles in the Arab world and how the sector serves millions of Arab consumers. Dr. Geweli stressed also that the Arab states have enough resources to fulfill success and social welfare.
The presentation was given by Mr. Adil Nalbant , president of Textile Machinery and Accessories Manufacturers Association ( TEMSAD ) . Mr. Nalbant shed light on the Turkish efforts to develop the industry of textile machinery as a basis for developing the textile sector. He told the audience there are 50 universities in Turkey teach weaving and spinning and the result of their integration is that Turkey exported ( 70% ) of its production to Europe in 1996; when at that time TEMSAD has been just founded.
Recommendations
After fruitful and precious discussions , the following conclusions were drawn among attendees :
1. The launching of Textile and Clothing Arab Brands Project. The project will be served through the establishment of a new responsible company.
2. Boosting Arab textile exports .
3. Contacting the governments of Morocco , Iraq and Algeria to overcome customs related problems.
4. Encouraging Arab investments in textiles and clothing.
5. Coordinating activities of scientific research , training and technological development .
6. Participation in international textile fairs.
7. Issuing a periodical textile bulletin.
8. Establishing a permanent fairground within the premises of AFTI to display textile products of Arab companies.