In mid-October, an Italian delegation of textile machinery manufacturers will visit Uzbekistan and
Turkmenistan. This institutional mission, organized by ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile
Machinery Manufacturers) and by the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade, has planned a series of
institutional and business meetings in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, and Tashkent, in
Uzbekistan, where a technology seminar will also be held, followed by bilateral meetings.
“In the wake of the crisis which has weighed down on us the past few years, the textile
machinery sector is looking for a new geographical balance” states Sandro Salmoiraghi, President of
ACIMIT, who is heading the delegation. “China, India, Turkey and Brazil are the Countries with the
greatest capacity to absorb textile machinery production in the future. However, we need to seek
out new business opportunities in those markets where textile manufacturers from the major
manufacturing Countries are now heading.”
Uzbekistan has an ancient tradition in the working of raw materials, and it is the world’s
sixth largest cotton producer. In recent years, it has initiated a profound restructuring of its
textile sector for the on-site transformation of the raw material, building industrial complexes,
thanks in part to foreign investments. Italian exports of textile machinery to Uzbekistan in 2009
amounted to 4.2 million euros.
Turkmenistan, for its part, is taking steps towards enabling its textile industry to compete
on international markets, and is looking for partnerships with major global suppliers of textile
technology. This is attested by the fact that in 2009, in spite of the economic crisis, Italian
exports of textile machinery to Turkmenistan reached 36 million euros, compared to around 2 million
euros the previous year, thus becoming the sixth most important market for Italian machinery
manufacturers in this sector.
“Emerging at a global level in the textile industry” continues Salmoiraghi “requires first
and foremost an updating of technology for competing with countries whose technology level is
already at a more advanced state. The aim of this institutional mission is to create a favourable
context for partnership between our industry and that of the two Countries visited.”
“This will be achieved by presenting our technology and products to local entrepreneurs, as
well as by establishing contacts with local governmental institutions, such as the Minister for the
Textile Industry in Turkmenistan, Mrs. Aynabat Babayeva, and other organisms who still bear a large
influence in disseminating and deciding industry strategies.”
Part of this effort includes the participation of Italy’s delegation at the 2nd Investment
Forum in Turkmenistan (next 19th October in Ashgabat), where ACIMIT’s President will be invited
among the international speakers.
The following Italian companies are taking part in this institutional mission: Fadis,
Marzoli, Plm Impianti, Reggiani, Salmoiraghi, Savio, Texera.
Press release courtesy of ACIMIT
Posted on October 20, 2010