AFTEX Incorporates as Garment Industry Leads ASEAN Economic Integration
The ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) is now formally incorporated in Singapore as a not-for-profit organization, thanks to the assistance of the VALUE Project.
Indonesia’s Minister of Industry H.E. Mohamad S. Hidayat believes that the textile & apparel sector is positioned to lead the way in ASEAN’s economic integration.
Incorporation is an important new chapter in AFTEX’s 34-year history, enabling it to open a bank account, generate revenues, sign contracts, and conduct official business as a legal entity.
The Federation looks forward to making the most of the opportunities this presents said AFTEX Chairman Mr. Ade Sudradjat.
“VALUE Project’s assistance has been of very great significance to the real economic integration of ASEAN textiles & apparel, and it continues to be needed,” he added.
According to Indonesia’s Minister of Industry H.E. Mohamad S. Hidayat, who officially opened the AFTEX Council Meeting in Bali on January 14, the textile & apparel sector is best positioned to lead ASEAN’s priority sectors towards regional integration.
The Minister highlighted three regional integration strategies initiated and managed by the VALUE Project in partnership with AFTEX that contribute to the textile & apparel sector’s position of leadership: the Source ASEAN Full Service Alliance (SAFSA), the ASEAN Common Competency Program (ACCP), and the new SourceASEAN.com industry information portal (this website).
Since its founding in 1977, AFTEX has operated as the peak industry body representing the collective interests of Southeast Asia’s textile & apparel manufacturers.
AFTEX members met regularly to develop a common position on international trade policies, promote intra-ASEAN trade in textiles & apparel, and raise the profile of the region’s garment industry.
The informal AFTEX organization served ASEAN well at a time when import quotas in the major consumer markets guaranteed every source market a share of the international garment trade.
USAID’s VALUE Project signed a memorandum of understanding with AFTEX in 2008 under which it agreed to help ASEAN’s textile & apparel industry meet the competitive challenges and opportunities of the post-quota era.
