ArmInfo. Since the Soviet times Armenia was noted for its textile industry. Armenia's second largest city - Gyumri, home to a big textile factory - had a whole district called "Textile". These days, fashion, with its major potential, is becoming a force of its own along with the textile industry. The EU-funded Eastern Partnership: Ready to Trade EU4Business initiative supports the development and exports of local companies. The project is implemented by the International Trade Centre, the press release of the press release of European Union's EU4Business reports.
"Armenia has always stood out for its quality clothes and footwear. Manufacturers in Armenia have significant competitive capacity both in the local and international markets. To realise this potential they need an efficient business plan and a marketing strategy," notes Anoush Gasparian, Co-founder and Commercial Director of a famous Russia-based Fashion Consulting Group, Consultant for the International Trade Centre and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Anoush has over 20 years of experience in fashion marketing.
Within the frames of the Eastern Partnership: Ready to Trade EU4Business initiative Anoush has provided one-to-one and group consultations to over 20 SMEs looking to improve competitiveness and access international markets. The seminar was organised by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
"52% of local products are exported to the Eurasian Economic Union, 45%- to Europe and 3%-to other markets. Drawing on its vast experience, UNIDO chose topics aimed to provide local companies with deep insights into market specifics and tailor their resources to improve exports," UNIDO National Project Coordinator Araksya Grigoryan says. Since 2014 UNIDO Project "Improving Competitiveness of Export-Oriented Industries in Armenia through Modernization and Market Access" helps Armenia promote production and exports of clothing and footwear. The RA State Revenue Committee reports exports of more than USD 214 million in clothes and footwear in 2018 and more than USD 167 million in 2019.
Since 2017 the Eastern Partnership: Ready to Trade EU4Business initiative has been providing customised solutions to the local SMEs by helping them produce value-added goods in line with international market standards and linking them with buyers from global value chains and markets, in particular within the EU.
