On March 14, 2007 was signed the Non-Reimbursable Technical Cooperation Agreement “Improving Competitiveness in the Textile and Garment Industry” between the Inter-American Development Bank –IADB- and the Apparel and Textile Association – VESTEX-. Mr. Peter Klose from the Board of Directors of VESTEX and Mr. Philippe Dewez from IADB Guatemala attended to this activity.

Other attendees were the Multilateral Investment Fund Specialist, directors and executives from VESTEX.

According to Mr. Dewez, “the specific objective of this project is to increase the efficiency of the textile and apparel sector through the improvement of human resource capacities and support for new business opportunities”.

To achieve the objectives, the program includes the following four components:

I) Technical skills training

II) Strengthening of productive chains

III) Support compliance with market requirements

IV) Promotion and dissemination of project results

Through the above mentioned components the project expects to strength the ability of companies in delivering products, capacity to identify and explode new markets niches offering products with more value added, strength the skills of the human resources and the development of a labor skill certification scheme.

For workers, training will include: design, embroidery, specialized wash treatments, among other aspects to improve competitiveness. It also includes training for middle and technical managers as well as the transfer of knowledge to local universities.

Name: Improving Competitiveness in the Textile and Garment Industry.

Executing Agency: Asociación de la Industria del Vestuario y Textiles VESTEX

Execution period: From March 14, 2007 to March 14, 2010

Modality: Grant – Small Enterprise Development Facility (III-A)

Budget: MIF: USD785,000 (70%)

VESTEX: USD330,000 (30%)

Donor: IDB/MIF