To write on Greece, Greek economy and the textile and clothing sector is not the easiest char. The antic times contribute still a mixture of modern times combined with old traditions. These are the ingredients today for some still insolvable problems existing in government and the administration, not to speak that they can overcome. When you get in touch with entrepreneurs or trade associations, after a few initial words, there is always a lengthy discussion of what the government is asking in view to taxes and how elaborate the administration does administer. Also the missing transparency is another subject. The Greek people would like to overcome the near dictatorial influences of the EU and the IMF Group to solve the debt problem of Greece.
The programmes initiated have caused additional difficulties for the Greek citizens, enforced in parts, but life for entrepreneurs became even more difficult and in some ways also endangers the profit situation of Greek firms, and particularly of textile firms. No wonder that textile people are talking of a long period of crisis. It seems that the tough financial programmes and reforms provoked in 2017 some evidence that the crisis might come to an end and the debtor Greece will be able to finance itself again on the markets. TextileFuture paid a personal visit to Greece and followed the further developments.
The Hellenic Clothing Industry Association
However the crisis since 2004 -2017 left also some deep marks in the private sector, thus in turn also on consumption, remarks Meletis Karabinis, General Director of the Hellenic Clothing Industry Association, Athens. However, “the sector fashion was withstanding and kept its level as before the crisis”, he adds.
He specifies that capital control, raw materials and capital were the elements that retained customers for Greece, in turn Greek exporting companies offered quality and flexibility is of importance to all of us.
He continues, “the textile sector, specifically cotton yarns and fabrics faced a crisis from 2009 – 2012, but many companies were able to realign and to hold their market position, however there are some factors spoiling the picture: Energy costs are very high in Greece. The macro economics and the taxes companies are reliable for added to the negative factors. The social society, the citizens were also punished and had to hold back on consumption. And this leads to the prime factor that has a negative impact: Politics.” The keywords are missing experience, politic reasoning, standards and prestige.
Karabinis reveals also that with 19 partners from the textile sector, TCBC and other business partner and research institutions are working on a plan to make the industries more sustainable and to even increase the quality of products. The plan should cover 2017 – 2011. He notes pressure in the nonwoven sector, also the Greek silk sector should see a revival. Prices are increasing thanks to sustainability, creativity and absolute quality. The systematic analysis of the sectors will certainly produce results. Karabinis voices also the opinion that there has to be more domestic exchange between producers and consumers, because only informed consumers understand the great effort of the producers to educate them of the necessity of sustainability, to save resources and to act environmental friendly. He feels that the Greek model of a Textile DesignLab will be an initiative that could lead to a project of a European scope and a lead to a new market model. He adds that recycling has to be enhanced since the technology is not yet fully developed, thus viable.
Meletis Karabinis concludes the discussion session with TextileFuture with some hints to the important history of textile in Greece and the relevant visits to museums of Athens.
Hellenic Fashion Industry Association (SEPEE) is the main representative of the apparel and textile industry in Greece.
It was founded in 1973 as a non – profit organization. Headquartered in Thessaloniki, with a branch office in Athens.
SEPEE is the largest apparel manufacturers association in Greece and its members are apparel manufacturers, textile manufacturers as well as other apparel associations.
Our Association provides a wide range of services to its membership including inter alia lobbying through national and international organizations, collecting and disseminating information related to the apparel chain and organizing fairs, shows, and trade missions abroad.
SEPEE actively participates in Euratex (European Apparel & Textile Association) and in the IAF (International Apparel Federation).
We also have an extensive experience in the management of a significant member of apparel related EU research, training, social, environmental etc EU programs.
Source: http://thrakika.gr