The European Union of Garment and Textile Industries (Euratex) has launched a new EU-Ukraine Textile Initiative (EUTI) to facilitate cooperation between European and Ukrainian textile and clothing companies.
EUTI provides a one-stop shop for Ukrainian companies seeking support and cooperation with EU partners and vice versa. The service is coordinated by Euratex in close cooperation with Ukrlegprom, the Ukrainian Association of Textile and Leather Industry Enterprises.
“Today in Ukraine there are many textile and clothing companies that have expertise and skilled workers; they are able and willing to work with the EU but lack the contacts, customers and supplies. EUTI will help them in this,” says Tetyana Izovit, Ukrlegprom President and CEO, in an announcement on the Euratex website.
“There is an opportunity to expand this relationship, both in the short term – to respond to urgent needs – and in the longer term. As a partner of the PEM agreement, Ukraine can play an important role in the European textile and clothing supply chain,” explains Euratex on its website.
The volume of EU exports to Ukraine in 2021 reached 1.3 billion euros, making Ukraine the 13th most important market, and imports from Ukraine reached 500 million euros (21st largest market).
“Supporting the textile industry is our way of helping the people of Ukraine. We encourage our European members to network and develop sustainable partnerships through EUTI,” comments Euratex Director General Dirk Vantyghem.
Interested companies can send an email to eu-ukraine[at]euratex.eu to get in touch with the new initiative.