Parliamentarians, Government officials and representatives of management of textile companies have exchanged views on the status and development of the textile and clothing industry in Switzerland.

At the annual meeting of the ‘Parliamentary Group for the textile industry’, office bearers of Textile Federation Switzerland informed policy makers and representatives from the Federal Government about the concerns of the Swiss textile and clothing industry, according to a press release of Textilverband Schweiz (Textile Federation Switzerland).

Andreas Sallmannshausen, president of the Federation, said the central issue is the challenge of continuing textile and apparel production in Switzerland.

Sallmannshausen said that in spite of difficult environment confronted by the textile companies, including high labor costs and a strong currency, many firms are continuing to manufacture in Switzerland.

It is because the country has a flexible labor market, well qualified staff, low administrative barriers, moderate taxes and the best possible access to foreign markets, Sallmannshausen added.

By accepting the mass immigration initiative, the relationship of Switzerland’s textile industry with its most important market, the EU, is at risk. Hence, quota must be introduced to ensure that necessary and specialized professionals continue to stay, Sallmannshausen said.

There was also a suggestion for keeping the administrative burden as low as possible for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The Swiss Textile Federation jointly represents the interests of over 200 companies in the textile and garments industry.

Source: Fibre2fashion.com