1) The successful brands exported by the textiles cluster of the Republic of Moldova as a reflection of the competitiveness stage of our

economy.
Trends Apparel and textile production is vital for Moldovas economic and social development. Employing over 17 !!! people in nearly every region of the country apparel and textile manufacturing is the number t"o industry exporter in Moldova. #aving demonstrated sector stability in the past $ years it is one of the fe" industries able to maintain a positive trade balance. The industry has steadily increased its share in country %&' from (.)* in +!!+ to 7* in +!!,. These trends are li-ely to continue in the foreseeable future. Opportunities Apparel and textile manufacturers in Moldova are competitive in that they naturally have shorter delivery times to European mar-ets ideal for fulfillment and turnaround. .n average orders from regional clients can be filled and delivered "ithin t"o "ee-s. /omparatively the same goods can ta-e up to t"o months to receive from /hina. Moldova also retains competitiveness because it employs a s-illed "or-force and attracts clientele "ith economical labor rates. The price0per0 minute cost in Moldova is more favorable than in /entral Europe the 1altic 2tates 3-raine and 1elarus. Moldovas capacity to compete on 4uality and price has led to several successful partnerships "ith contract producers including brands from 5taly %ermany 6etherlands 37 8rance and 1elgium. 5n addition Moldovan manufacturers design and produce their o"n clothing lines an indication of maturity in the industry. Rising costs in neighboring countries and instability in the Middle East is resulting in more opportunities for Moldovan producers to expand its gro"ing client base. Challenges Though gro"th is evident Moldovas capacities in this sector are some"hat restricted currently. At present Moldovan producers provide mainly cut0and0stitch production services contributing minimally to the products overall value. 9o"0value added services hinder companies from investing in advanced e4uipment modern technologies and especially so in product research and development. 2ecuring contracts for higher value0added services in turn "ould allo" products made in Moldova to command higher prices. Moldovas manufacturing companies need to increase s-ills in pattern design product development fabric handling and cutting. 5n many parts of the "orld these functions are no" "holly computeri:ed "hereas Moldovan companies have yet to incorporate 5T solutions in daily operations at a sufficient level. Additionally Moldova has no institutions or fashion houses to support local brands thus allo"ing imported products to dominate the mar-et. 'otentially identifying this type of support could lead to the launch of several private label clothing lines for Moldova. 8inally Moldovan producers need to become more mar-et0 oriented developing strategies for client0driven sales mar-eting and merchandi:ing.

Moldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organisation

www.miepo.md

Ministry of Economy and Trade of the Republic of Moldova

www.mec.gov.md

In the post-2005 era of liberalised inter national trade, textiles & clothing have become a truly global industry, with the

retailers and distribution firms being able to source product everywhere in the world. pparel manufacturing as an industrial activity has been declining in the more in dustrialised countries for over 20 years and this process has speeded before 200!. s manufacturing moves to lower cost countries, "oldova remains an attrac tive proposition for investment in a sec tor which already accounts for #.5$ of the general %&' and (0$ of the manufacturing %&'. )he textile*apparel cluster employs over 2#,000 wor+ers and has become one of the leading exporting sectors in the country, while the "oldovan government is commit ted to the development of this +ey industrial sector possessing a largely untapped export potential. )he country,s proximity to the -. is a +ey element among its strategic advan tages as a supplier of textiles and apparel to consumer mar+ets. wide range of products can be produced in "oldova and many of them are. )he group includes all types of +nitted and woven apparel, lingerie and nightwear, protective clothing and carpets. "ore than 250 enter prises are active in the sector, many of them already figuring among the leading exporters of the manufacturing sector. )he first stage in the process of participat ing in the international trade, begins usually with the acceptance of outward processing wor+ from the target mar+ets. )his type of production is also +nown as /") 0cut, ma+eup and trim1, or by its %erman name of 23ohn rbeit4. 5aw materials, trademar+s and design all belong to the contractor, while the garment manufacturers, sole value added is putting together the final product. Initially, it has certain advantages, such as low capital investment6 rapid ac cess to new technologies and developing of s+illed labour. "argins are low, however,

and successful companies involved in this production will move towards developing their own product and offering prospective clients a full pac+age. In "oldova, many companies are already wor+ing for famous -uropean brands, a fact that is reflected in the increasingly high ex port to such destinations as Italy, %ermany, 5omania & .7. 8ew opportunities appear as manufacturing costs increase in other supplying countries, such as 9ulgaria and 5omania. )he rapidly developing consumer mar+et of the 5ussian :ederation demands more garments every year. Its cultural and historical bac+ground can give "oldova an edge to improving mar+et share there. It becomes almost imperative to develop new export mar+ets, to increase the range of products and to strengthen the necessary s+ills to operate internationally. "oldova brings to the manufacturing e;ua tion a s+illed wor+force with competitives production costs in -urope and a dynamic industry in the process of ac;uiring new technologies, forming <oint ventures and expanding its client base

ompany profiles
=>? Ionel
)he =oint >toc+ ?enture 2 Ionel4 was established in @ctober #AB5. )he factory is specialiCed in the production of men,s clothesD coats, suits, <ac+ets, trousers6 women,s clothesD coats, suits, <ac+ets, s+irts, shorts, - children,s clothesD suits, trousers. 9eside this assortment, special clothes, bedclothes and hats are sewn. "ore than one hundred new models are designed during the year for stores in Italy, %ermany, the .nited >tates and /anada. )he company participates in exhibitions in the .> , Italy, :rance and /I> countries. In #AAE it was awarded with the International 'remium 'riCe for )echnology and Fuality.

=>/ /odreanca
=>/ /odreanca, situated in /alaras, with #00$ private share capital, was found ed in #AEG, and specialiCes in sewing wor+ clothes, ladies and mans clothing. >ince #AA5 =>/ 2/odreanca4 has collaborated with companies from Italy, Holand and %ermany in 3ohn system production.

=>/ )ricon
=>/ 2)ricon4 situated in /ahul. 9ased in #AEE, this enterprise is the biggest producer of +nitted and woven articles from south of the country. )he selection of the produced goods includes the +nitted wear for women, men and children6

woven articles for women I dresses, pants, s+irts, blouses, suites, half-length overcoats and coats for winter. :or long time 2)ricon4 /ompany wor+s with foreign companies from ustria, %ermany, Italy and 5omania. In #AAE-#AAG at the JIJ and JJII 2International. /ompetitions 2International %old >tar4 the high duality of goods was commended with 2%old >tar4. )he priCe 2'latium >tar4 , the 2)ricon4 /ompany has been obtained at the JI? International com petition in #AA! in "adrid, >pain. )he =>/ 2)ricon4 has modern e;uipment and introduces new technologies. )he ;ualified artists create new collection of fashionable wear.

=>/ :loare/arpet
=>/ 2:loare-/arpet4 is an enterprise which produces <ac;uard double-faced machine made carpets. It was founded in #AG!. )he technological cycle of carpet production represents a finished process which refers to the producti on of wool and pure wool threads, their dyeing, carpet weaving, finishing, and mar+ing and stoc+ing of the finished products. )he high content of wool fibres in combination with good technology provides the optimal operational ;uality to the carpets. )he assortment of finished articles constitutes a variety of colors, drawings and dimension types. =>/ K:loare-/arpetL is interested in further developing and promoting its export of carpets and carpet articles.

=? I8:I8I)M Inc.
"oldovan-)ur+ish =? 2I8:I8I)M Inc.4 was founded in #AAG. 8umber of emp loyees is more than #000. 'roduct assortmentD nightgowns, py<amas0for women and men1, trac+suits, underwear for men 0pants, boxers and tan+ tops1, football shirts, polo <erseys, and +nitted clothing for children. )he enterprise has wide experience in collaboration with well-+nown companies from .> ,/anada, =apan and -uropean countries.