An Italian textile machinery delegation will make it presence felt at the upcoming African Sourcing & Fashion Week (ASFW) to be held in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) during October 3-6. The companies which are associated members of ACIMIT like Autotex, Bianco, Carù, Corino, Europrogetti, Fadis, Ferraro, Lonati, Loptex, Mei, Mesdan, Reggiani, Ssm Giudici, Tonello, Ugolini and Willy will exhibit their products at the Italian pavilion.
In Ethiopia, the textile and garments industry has a long history and tradition. The sector represents the lion-share of employment in the manufacturing sector. The Ethiopian Government has launched the II° GTP, Growth and Transformation Plan for 2015-2020, to promote the industry and to exploit the several bilateral trade agreements signed with Western countries. Moreover the country is witnessing a long period of GDP growth.
In this positive economic climate, the demand for machinery by local textile companies has grown significantly. Over the past five years, Italian exports to Ethiopia have increased on an average by 14% annually. Their value in 2016 reached 3 million euros, and in January-May, Italian sales were worth 1 million euros.
With the growing relevance of this market, ACIMIT, in co-operation with Italian Trade Agency, has set up over the years an intensive program for increasing contacts among operators from the two countries, including institutional and commercial missions and incoming missions of Ethiopian delegates in Italy.
Moreover, ACIMIT has signed an MoU with the Ethiopian Textile Industry Development Institute in order to realize a textile technology center.