The ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) has announced that an Italian textile machinery delegation will be on hand at the ITME Africa exhibition, organised by India ITME Society, at Addis Ababa from February 14-16, 2020. ACIMIT represents an industrial sector that comprises roughly 300 manufacturers producing textile machinery.
Ethiopia is an emerging production hub for the global textile and garments industry. Cheap labour costs, free trade agreements with major Western markets, and a constantly growing economy have made the Sub-Saharan African country an important destination for the manufacturing of garments by major fashion brands. Given the necessary upgrade in technology required, the demand for textile machinery is growing consequently, supported by incentive schemes provided by the local authorities to support and develop Ethiopian textile sector.
The first edition of ITME Africa trade fair will feature 22 Italian textile machinery manufacturers at the Italian pavilion organised by the Italian Trade Agency. Among these are the following ACIMIT associated members; Arioli, Biancalani, Bianco, Bonino, Carù, Corino, Erhardt-Leimer, Fadis, Ferraro, Flainox, Lafer, Loptex, Mariplast, Mcs, Mesdan, Pugi, Ratti, Reggiani, Roj, Santoni, and Savio, according to a press release by ACIMIT.
“Our exports to Ethiopia have grown significantly over the past five years, although their overall value remains quite modest (€2.8 million in 2018). In 2019 January-July period, Italian exports towards Ethiopian market reached a value of €3.3 million. The quality of our machine technology is superior to that of our competitors currently operating in this market. Our focus is on getting potential buyers to get to know and appreciate the quality of our technology, through opportunities such as ITME Africa, as well as through the institutional missions organised in recent years, thanks to the support of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and Italian Trade Agency,” ACIMIT president Alessandro Zucchi said.
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