Two major constraints being faced by the Moroccan textile industry at present are over-reliance on traditional textile markets and dependence on imported raw material. As Europe struggles to control the pandemic, both Moroccan textile product exports and the supply chain of raw materials coming from the continent, have experienced disruption.
The pandemic has exacerbated the dire state of the textile industry in the country, exposing its vulnerability compared to competitors abroad, according to the Moroccan Association of the Textile and Clothing Industry (AMITH).
With challenges piling up as Morocco slowly moves to the post-pandemic, new normal, AMITH has drawn up a road map for developing the sector focusing on four main factors: adapting to the needs of customers, innovation and creativity, sustainability and the technical development in manufacturing.
“The sector must strengthen its level of adaptation to customer requirements, its anticipation capacities, as well as the quality of its logistics services,” AMITH directort general Fatima Zahra Alaoui was quoted as telling representatives of domestic media outlets.
Such a shift will allow the textile industry to adapt to the global sourcing map in a post-pandemic world, she said. According to AMITH, many foreign contractors are turning to local suppliers. With countries and contractors visibly wishing to reduce their reliance on Asian countries, AMITH believes the post-pandemic reality could present a great opportunity for the textile industry in the country.
Domestic firms should integrate environment-friendly and transparent manufacturing initiatives, she suggested.
According to AMITH, four-fifths of textile companies are not planning any investment in the coming months.
