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Fashion should be goal for textile industry
The Vietnamese textile and garment industry has faced a troubled year following recessionary signals from the US which imported nearly US$5 billion worth products from it last year.
Other problems include high inflation, rising prices of imported raw materials and the weakening US dollar.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Bui Xuan Khu said that is why this year’s voting for the “Best Garment Firms” is of great significance.
But the industry, he said, needs to brush up on the made-in-Vietnam brand and the latest fashion trends.
What do you think is the impact the award will have on the textile industry?
Bui Xuan Khu: For the past four years this competition has led to considerable improvements.
Since the criteria have been modified every year according to market needs, firms have been forced to improve their products, management and investment strategies, and working conditions.
How do you think winning this award will benefit a company?
Obviously winning this is like putting a stamp on your products. It would encourage the company’s managers and workers to continue working hard.
Is there anything we have learned from the voting patterns in the past?
I think the criteria have been getting tougher. The voting needs to retain its credibility and for that the organizing committee needs to produce transparent results.
What are the criteria that should be emphasized this year based on market trends?
Everyone knows that the country’s economy is going through a tough period. We must strive to increase exports while also stabilizing the domestic market.
I think our companies have not focused enough on the domestic side. So it is safe to say that the most competitive firm might be the one that is popular in the domestic market.
And, obviously, firms with strong export performances are also frontrunners for the award.
Why do you think some companies appear constantly in the list while others do not make it even once?
That’s true. In order to avoid giving this award to the same company year after year and also to encourage other firms, modifying the criteria is one of the solutions.
It’s important to realize that each company in the textile industry can be good in one aspect or another. So the criteria should remain flexible and encourage firms to be creative.
Can you be more specific?
The 2009 voting might focus on companies producing materials for garments and fabrics so that the reliance on imports could be reduced. This could foster the development of the textile raw materials industry.
I also want to emphasize that every firm, even after getting this award, must continue to make efforts to stay competitive for the next year.
Do you think the idea of “fashionizing” our textile industry should be the ultimate goal in the long run and that we should start pursuing domestic consumers first?
It’s the obvious trend in the global textile industry. For instance, a “made in Italy” tie can cost up to US$200 though it only costs a small amount of fabric to produce it.
We should aim for the same thing by designing products.
For example, Viet Tien Garment Company has started to spice up its products, right from shirts to create its unique fashion.
But is it too soon to talk about this since we are still in the manufacturing stage?
Our industry employs nearly two million workers and has always generated significant revenues, but it is mostly from processing raw materials and manufacturing.
I think we have to gradually reduce reliance on imported materials.
When we start to produce our own fabrics and accessories, we can imbue Vietnamese fashion in our products, creating our own fashion industry.
How long will that take?
Perhaps several decades.
What is the export revenue you expect this year considering the US economy is in bad shape?
The American market buys 54-55 percent of our exports. At the beginning of this year, we targeted exports of US$9.5 billion. But it’s hard to expect that now.
In the first six months exports were worth only $4.2 billion. It would be a great feat if we can achieve $9 billion
Thanhnien
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