Ethiopia’s burgeoning textile sector is hoping for European market access as eight manufactures showcased their products at the Texworld/Apparel Sourcing Paris that took place from 11 February until 14 February, 2018 in Le Bourget, Paris. The eight manufactures, Almeda Textile Factory, Arba-Minch Textile co, Desta Garment Plc, Konoria Africa Textiles, Kombolcha Textile, MAA Garment and Textile, Velocity Apparel Companies, Village Industry, exhibited their products in the four-day to look for international clients. A series of lectures about the latest developments in the sector, news from exhibitors, catwalk shows and the Trends Forum area was held. Ethiopia, invited as country of honor, presented two shows by Yefikir design, owned by the young emerging designer Fikirte Addis and another more veteran Genet Kebede of Paradise Fashion, both specialized in traditional style of white cotton with strips of intricate colourful patterns along edges.
Fitsum Arega, commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission who was in Paris with the Ethiopian delegation said that despite its many challenge, the sector is growing rapidly and exports have increased substantially over the past ten years. He said that the sector enjoys duty-free entry into the European Union and Canada and preferential duty treatment to Japan and other countries.

Among the participants, one was the Addis Ababa based Italian Company of Village Industry, that specialized in natural reusable shopping bags and known for its Afar brand. The general manager Camillo Calamai explained that the company started operations in 2004 as a knitting plant and is now doing printing, sewing, dyeing and finishing. “What makes Village Industry unique is its capacity to process fabrics and leather combining sophisticated technology and high quality natural raw materials,” he said. The company offers products adapted for European markets and could produce 5,000 pcs per day.
Eyob Bekele of Desta Garment, with specialization on knitted and woven tops and bottoms, hopes to get European clients, saying the company has a production capacity of 10,000 t-shirts per day and 5,000 Polo shirts per day. He described the visit as “an eye opening experience – its state of art technology is an inspiration for the Ethiopian industry’s future.”
The participants said the sector suffers some setbacks such as low productivity, limited capability of design & development, ineffective and inefficient management structures, limitations of skills training, power shortages and currency challenges facing the country. Analysts say the authorities will need to further upgrade the infrastructure to raise revenues from the zone. This includes enhancing the role of industrial zones and raising the quality of public services provided such as electricity, water, housing facilities to workers, etc. and the construction. Ethiopian Textile and Garment Manufacturers Association President Fasil Tadesse said technical assistance are being offered to ensure sustainability of sector’s growth.
The German Cooperation’s Sustainable Textile Programme of Ethiopia supported the preparing of this event that the investment delegation, led by Bekele Bulado, Minister of Trade, included Fetsum Arega, Ethiopian Investment commission Commissioner, Bogale Feleke, Minister D’Etat of Ministry of trade and Fassil Tadesse, President of Ethiopian Textile Association. Ambassador of Ethiopia to France, Ali Sulaiman visited exhibitors and shown satisfaction on the products displayed in the fair. Taking place twice a year at Paris – Le Bourget, Texworld Paris, a leading textile and fashion trade fair, with more than 1500 exhibitors, offers professionals from all over the world a rich variety of products from basic to creative high-end fabrics of excellent quality.