The Italy-based Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT) in conjunction with
the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade recently sent a delegation of textile machinery
manufacturers to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Fadis, Marzoli, PLM Impianti, Reggiani, Salmoiraghi, Savio and Texera all participated in the
trip. The group held a host of institutional and business meetings as well as technology seminars
to establish relationships with local governmental groups and others who have influence and
contribute to industry strategies in those countries.
“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,” said Sandro Salmoiraghi, president,
ACIMIT. “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.
“Emerging at a global level in the textile industry requires first and foremost an updating
of technology for competing with countries whose technology level is already at a more advanced
state,” Salmoiraghi said. “The aim of this institutional mission is to create a favorable context
for partnership between our industry and that of the two countries visited.”
According to ACIMIT, Uzbekistan has initiated a large restructuring of its textile industry
in large part for cotton processing. In 2009, Italy exported 4.2 million euros worth of textile
machinery to Uzbekistan.
Despite the poor economic climate, Italian textile companies shipped machinery worth some 36
million euros to Turkmenistan in 2009 — making the country the sixth most important market for
Italian textile machinery exports last year. ACIMIT reports the country is looking for partnerships
with major global suppliers of textile technology, and is hopeful it can compete in international
textile markets in the coming years.
October/November/December 2010