Project title

Together the European market - common opportunities for companies in industry "Textiles and clothes" of cross-border region

Lead Partner(name/country)

Textile and Clothes Branch Organization
Republic of Bulgaria

Other partner/s

Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry Leskovac
Republic of Serbia
Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Republic of Bulgaria

Priority axis

Axis 2: Enhancing capacity for joint planning, problem solving and development

Area of intervention

2.1. Links and networking on institutional, business and educational levels

Duration (in months)

12

Total budget (in €)

199860.01

Project Objectives

Overall objective: To achieve a potent exchange of best practices and collaborative regional planning and to ensure that the companies in the textile and clothing branch  operating in the border region will be able to make use of the new market opportunities in the larger European Union through a thorough research and analysis of the current state of the clothing industry, the market and the labor resources, as well as to carry out practical transfer of knowledge and experience between the companies in both border countries.

Specific objectives:
-To explore, analyze and evaluate the production potential /product range and capacity/, the markets and the employed labor force of the border Textile and Clothes companies;
-To implement transfer of knowledge, experience and best practices between parties of interest connected with Textile and Clothes industry - manufacturers, traders, institutions and industry associations in the border region in regard to the new market opportunities and requirements in terms of the European standards towards the products, production  technologies and services;
-To create new effective mechanisms for exchange of business information which is relevant to the industry in the border regions;
-To add to the value in clothing manufacturing and in the region through cross-border collaboration.

Project Activities

Activity 1 Project management

Activity 2 Study and analysis of the Textile and Clothes industry in the districts those are included in the Bulgarian border region in terms of product range and production capacity. Opinion survey at least 100 small and medium enterprises in the districts in cross-border Bulgarian region, working in textiles and clothing sector

Activity 3 Study and analysis of the Textile and Clothes industry in the districts those are included in the Serbian border region in terms of product range and production capacity.  Opinion survey at least 100 small and medium enterprises in the districts in cross-border Serbian region, working in textiles and clothing sector

Activity 4 Development and publishing of the “Directory of Textile and Clothes companies in the Bulgarian-Serbian cross-border region”. Format: A4, 96 pages with numerous photos. Circulation: 1,000. The information will be written in English.

Activity 5 Joint studies of market opportunities in the EU
Conducting of joint studies of market opportunities in the EU thought business visits to similar organizations in EU member countries with highly developed textile industry to expand the market position of the companies in the border region and onto the European market. Participants from both countries - owners and representatives of SMEs in the branch in the region and representatives of the project partners. Duration: 5 days

Activity 6 Business exchange visits of manufacturers from Bulgaria and corporate partner exchange for negotiations in Leskovac, Serbia. Participants: 30 participants from both countries - owners and representatives of small and medium companies in the branch and project partners' representatives.Duration: 2 days

Activity 7 Business exchange visits of manufacturers from Serbia and corporate partner exchange for negotiations in the town of Kyustendil. Participants: 30 participants from both countries - owners and representatives of small and medium companies in the branch and project partners' representatives. Duration: 2 days

Activity 8 “International Marketing. Entering the European market - approaches and strategies” - training in Leskovac.  Participants: 30 companies from both countries. Costs: rent of hall, equipment, training materials, travel, accommodation and meal for the participants. Duration: 2 days

Activity 9 “International fairs – the right choice, preparation, presentation and exhibits.” – Training in Kyustendil.  Participants: 30 companies from both countries. Costs: rent of hall, equipment, training materials, travel, accommodation and meal for the participants. Duration: 2 days

Activity 10 Conference "T&C sector - an economically strong sector in the border region." Organization and implementation of a conference in the city of Sofia on the manufacture of textile and clothes in the cross-border region, the industry's role and position in modern economic life in the region. Topic: State and trends in the sewing industry in cross-border region, research and information analysis results and good practices. Lecturers: Textile and clothing field experts. Participants: 30 representatives of the target groups from both countries. Duration: 2 days.

Activity 11 Development of export strategy for the T&C sector in cross-border region

Activity 12 Internet application for publication and exchange of information related to the project subject

Activity 13 PR campaigns to promote the cross-border region as a good location for manufacturing of the clothes

Project Results

A comprehensive  survey on issues related to the state of the textile and clothing branch in the border region covering at least 100 small and medium-sized enterprises in BG and 100 in RS – 200 companies
A database of companies – company profile, product range and production capacity  - 1
Business visits in Kyustendil and Leskovac – 2
Trainings in Kyustendil and Leskovac – 2
Conference "T&C sector - an economically strong sector in the border region." – 1
Operative WEB application – 1
Developed Export strategy for the T&C sector – 1
Increased export capacity of companies
Improved image of  the cross-border region as a good location for manufacturing of the clothes – PR campaigns

Target Groups

Companies, operating in the Textile and Clothes sector from districts in the cross-border region

Direct beneficiaries:
Companies, members of the partners – participating in business visits and training - 60
Participants in Conference- 30
T&C companies surveyed – 200

Final beneficiaries:
Citizens actively working in companies member of partners in Textile & Clothes sector – 5000
Experts involved in the development of the industry in cross-border region of Bulgaria – Serbia- 100
Representatives of local authorities involved in the development of industry in the cross-border region – 50
Audience of the media from Kyustendil and Leskovac – 100 000