Moroccan Association of Textile and Clothing Industries (AMITH) and the Swiss Textile Federation signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday in Berne to enhance collaboration between industry stakeholders and address competitiveness challenges.
Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour and Swiss Federal Councilor for Economy, Education, and Research Guy Parmelin attended the signing ceremony.
“Stakeholders in the sector are relying on this memorandum to strengthen ties with Swiss investors and clients, and to create synergy between the textile industries in both nations,” AMITH President Anas El Ansari told news agency MAP.
El Ansari added that Moroccan textiles are advanced in the ready-to-wear collections, but the issue of raw materials persists. “This is why professionals are looking to have Swiss units established in the Moroccan market to provide the raw materials, thus enhancing our ability to access new European and American markets.”
AMITH President noted that the Swiss and Moroccan textile sectors generate around 6 billion euros in annual turnover each, with nearly 1,500 companies employing 220,000 workers in Morocco and 20,000 in Swiss units.
President of the Swiss Textile Federation Carl Illi expressed “optimism” about the potential for fruitful cooperation between professionals in the two countries. He commended Morocco’s textile sector for its performance and skilled workforce, and emphasized the importance of evolving collaboration to meet the challenges of global mutations.
The memorandum commits professionals from both countries to raise awareness among public and institutional actors about the strategic significance of this partnership.
The agreement will help attract foreign direct investment in the textile and clothing industries, facilitate commercial exchanges, and arrange for joint events.