For several years, Techtera has invested in European projects aimed at supporting the internationalisation of SMEs (small/medium enterprises) in the textile sector for major exports. Numerous events, webinars, joint missions, B2B meetings, were organised for this.
The innovation cluster is now entering a review phase concerning the conclusions of these two projects and is working to perpetuate the links established.
TEXGLOBAL project
Launched in 2020, then extended until August 2023 due to the health crisis, Texglobal aimed to support textile SMEs and establish interclustering partnerships in three target countries: Mexico, the United States and Vietnam.
Some key figures linked to the project results:
- Thirty-six small/medium enterprises participated in joint missions to the targeted countries. They were thus able to benefit from a programme of appointments and meetings.
- In this context, B2B meetings took place for 144 companies, as well as 33 for other organisations and clusters.
- Twelve commercial agreements were signed following these missions; and others are under discussion.
- Indirectly, 94 companies benefited from project activities.
EU-ALLIANCE project
Coordinated by Techtera, EU-ALLIANCE aims to support the internationalisation of small/medium enterprises in the areas of technical textiles, connectivity and advanced technologies. This is in order to address dual-use defence/security markets in four target countries: the United States, Canada, Japan and Indonesia.
Some key figures linked to the project results:
- Forty-one small/medium enterprises participated in joint missions to the targeted countries. They were thus able to benefit from programmes of appointments and combined meetings
- In this context, 226 Business to Business meetings took place for the firms involved.
- Eight commercial agreements were signed following these missions; and others are being discussed
- More than one hundred enterprises benefited indirectly from the project’s activities
Outlook
As part of these trips, in order to perpetuate the networks and contacts established apart from the project activities, the partners also signed cooperation agreements between businesses in the targeted countries.
This is the case for:
- The textile chambers of commerce of Mexico City and Puebla
- The Vitas Textile Federation in Vietnam
- The Advanced Textile Association in the United States and Canada
- The Maryland Department of Commerce, close to Washington and those working in American defence
- The Innosecur in Canada
Others are also active, such as the partnership with the Japan Chemical Fibers Association in Japan. Many contacts have been established, for example with the various defence attachés based in the targeted countries.
For our innovation cluster, the objective is now to maintain and help these links, which are at the service of manufacturers who want to penetrate or develop these markets.
Do not hesitate to contact us if this is your case.
Contact: Julie RAFTON-JOLIVET –jrafton@techtera.org
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