#Associations

2021-12-22

ITC Partnership with IAF to boost exports of garment manufacturers

The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support associations of garment manufacturers as well as garment apparel manufacturing companies in addressing emerging challenges related to competitiveness.

In addition, the cooperation will support these institutions in understanding the governance structure of the global apparel value chain and industrial relations between brands and retailers and supplying garment manufacturers.

IAF will advise garment manufacturers on rules of origin requirements, address new buyer requirements in markets, reduce the environmental footprint of garment manufacturing and empower women’s work along the supply chain. ITC and IAF will co-create trainings in this regard.

Digitalization will also play an essential role in this agreement. Amid the pandemic, digitalization has become a crucial topic for the textile and clothing industry: brands, retailers and larger suppliers are expected to modernize their production and adapt to the latest trends.

Therefore, ITC plans several activities to address digitalization for GTEX/MENATEX partners and how to engage in a more collaborative relationship with brands and retailers using digital technologies.

Matthias Knappe, head of the Fibres, Textiles and Clothing Unit at the International Trade Centre, says: “The garment sector is an ever-changing industry that requires companies to closely follow global trends and requirements to be internationally competitive and continuously export. ITC wants to ensure that its partners and beneficiary companies in developing countries have the best support to meet the environmental and human rights requirements of global buyers.”

Matthijs Crietee, Secretary-General of the International Apparel Federation, confirms the importance of this partnership: “ITC, through its GTEX and MENATEX programmes, shares with IAF a strong focus on apparel industry associations, recognizing that through the support of these organizations many companies can be supported with the continuous improvement of their competitiveness. IAF welcomes the opportunity to have its knowledge and network join forces with ITC’s knowledge and network to provide optimal support to the industry associations and their member companies involved.”

This initiative is implemented under the International Trade Centre’s Global Textiles and Clothing Programme (GTEX) in North Africa, Middle East (MENATEX), Central Asia and Madagascar.

IAF Position on tariffs

The International Apparel Federation (IAF) represents the apparel manufacturing community across more than 40 countries—a global industry comprising hundreds of thousands of companies and millions of employees. Apparel and textiles are among the most globalized industries, historically foundational to industrial development around the world.

IAF and ITMF unite global fashion and textile leaders

The joint ITMF Annual Conference and IAF World Fashion Convention was held on September 8-10 in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This year’s convention, co-organized by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), and hosted by Uztextileprom, the Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Industry Association, and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Uzbekistan highlighted the crucial interdependence of our sectors.

ITMF survey shows slight improvement in global textile industry despite continued pressure

The 40th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 21 to 29 September 2026, shows a slight improvement in the global business situation, to -23pp, well above the November 2023 low of -46pp. Conditions nevertheless remain weak, in what has become a new normal of high uncertainty. Only South Asia (+13pp) and Africa (+9pp) are positive, while Europe (-36pp), South America (-44pp) and North & Central America (-56pp) report the weakest conditions.

VDMA Textile Machinery with new Executive Board

At the general meeting of VDMA Textile Machinery held in Hanover at the end of September, Dr Janpeter Horn, Managing Director of A. Herzog Maschinenfabrik, was re-elected as Chairman of the trade association. Regina Brückner, managing partner of Brückner Trockentechnik, and Verena Thies, managing partner of Thies Textilmaschinen, will once again serve as vice-chairs for the next four years.

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

ROICA™ presents stretch textile innovations from nine partners at PERFORMANCE DAYS 2026

ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei will return to PERFORMANCE DAYS Munich on October 13–14, 2026, presenting textile developments from seven European partners and two Japanese specialists under its global brand message, “STRETCH YOUR FUTURE.” Visitors can discover the developments at Booth P10 in Hall A4.

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase flat knitting and digital design solutions at IGATEX Pakistan 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Pakistani representative ALMURTAZA MACHINERY CO., (PVT) Ltd., will exhibit at the upcoming International Exhibition for Garment, Textile Machinery and Accessories (IGATEX Pakistan 2026) in Lahore, Pakistan, from October 15–18. SHIMA SEIKI will introduce computerized flat knitting machines, 3D design software and various web platforms as proposals for sustainable production through innovative shaping technology and the latest digital solutions.

Brazilian market leader Cedro Têxtil focuses on greater efficiency, sustainability, and product quality with Brückner

After more than 150 years of company history, Cedro Têxtil is once again embracing the challenges of a changing industry. Widely recognized as the largest manufacturer of workwear fabrics in Latin America, the Brazilian textile company continues to invest in the modernization of its production facilities. A key milestone in this process was the decision to install a state-of-the-art Brückner stenter frame just over a year ago.

The Or Foundation, adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, and Inditex launch Apparel Recovery Coalition, responding to impacts of post-consumer textile exports

adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, Inditex and The Or Foundation, with support from Circle Economy, unveiled the Apparel Recovery Coalition (ARC). The coalition will explore how producer responsibility systems can support circular pathways such as reuse, upcycling, recycling, and responsible waste management in countries that receive large volumes of exported secondhand apparel.