Euratex discusses future of textile & clothing in Europe

The Euratex General Assembly discussed about investment opportunities in European textile and clothing sector. With over 120 participants, the event was an insight about a dynamic moment in which the sector is regaining a leading position in the EU industrial landscape. In the last few years, the textile industry has invested over €50 billion in the EU.

The recently concluded assembly showcased the economic renaissance of the textile and clothing industry, and its visions for the future, among numerous participants in Brussels. The main discussion was divided in two panels, focusing on investment trends in recent years and visions for the industry in the future, respectively.

"There is an unprecedented wave of young innovative textile and fashion companies that are currently being created across Europe. In the last few years we have witnessed a strong return of business confidence across the entire European textile and clothing industry," said Euratex president Klaus Huneke.

CEOs and representatives from seven European companies presented both their success stories and their first-hand experience in facing the challenges of the sector, from the need of a skilled workforce, efforts in moving to sustainable processes and materials, and surpassing barrier regulations that can hinder exports, Euratex said in a press release.

The presentations and debate offered the audience a point of view about the actions that can be taken at European, national and regional level to ensure the right conditions for entrepreneurs in the textile and clothing sector to keep investing and producing in Europe.

The speakers called for collaboration in the sector, highlighting the importance of investing in the development of training programmes to make the sector more competitive and attract younger experts and producing locally to sustain this knowledge-based approach.