Through May 4-5, 2011 Vera Kobalia, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, together with Keti Bochorishvili, Director of Georgian National Investment Agency and GNIA staff members participated in the 4th Istanbul Fashion Apparel Conference organized by the Turkish Clothes Manufacture Association in Istanbul, Turkey. The event was opened by Prime Minister of Turkey H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who welcomed the prestigious event participants.Istanbul Fashion Apparel Conference offered a real diversity of purchasing delegations as event participants had an opportunity to meet top representatives of apparel business from Turkish Clothes Manufactures. The conference genuinely allowed the participants to get first hand information about the textile and ready to wear sectors through presentations on future perspectives, trends, designs, new business models and development of potential markets, made by fashion and retail gurus and young designers.
Georgian delegation had a chance to personally meet Paolo Zegna, the CEO of world famous Ermenegildo Zegna and Pier Luigi Loro Piana a well known name in the luxury goods industry. GNIA director invited Paolo Zegna and Pier Luigi Loro Piana to personally visit Georgia in order to explore apparel business development opportunities. Georgia may be considered as a provider of the raw materials for leather fabrics for Zegna and Piana.In the frames of the event Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia had a meeting with Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association and have agreed that in the nearest future the members of the association being the leading apparel and textile business representatives in Turkey will pay a working visit to GeorgiaCurrently Georgia is an attractive country for Apparel sector. Georgia offers skilled and competitive labor force, few and low taxes, and business friendly environment.
It should be noted that throughout preparation process for the 4th Istanbul Fashion Apparel Conference staff members were assisted by USAID Economic Prosperity Initiative.
