The International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to assist garment makers' associations and garment apparel manufacturing enterprises in solving rising competitiveness problems. This deal will also rely heavily on digital technology.

The collaboration will also assist these institutions in better understanding the global apparel value chain's governance structure, as well as the industrial interactions between brands, retailers, and supplying garment manufacturers.

IAF will provide guidance to garment manufacturers on rules of origin requirements, address new buyer requirements in markets, reduce the environmental footprint of garment manufacturing and empower women's work throughout the supply chain. According to an ITC press release, the ITC and the IAF will collaborate to develop training in this area.

Digitalization has become a critical topic for the textile and garment industry as a result of the pandemic: brands, retailers, and larger suppliers are expected to update their manufacturing and adapt to the latest trends.

As a result, ITC is planning a number of events for partners of the Global Textiles and Clothing Programme (GTEX) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENATEX) to address digitalization and how to work more collaboratively with brands and retailers utilizing digital technology.

In North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Madagascar, this program is carried out through ITC's GTEX.