The MENA region has been facing numerous challenges. Most important is a high unemployment level, in particular among youth. Productivity and growth in the T&C sector is key for economic perspectives and also for women's opportunities. Fashion is among the most unsustainable industries on the planet, responsible for around 3 to 5% of global carbon emissions. To counter these effects, EU and other countries are introducing more stringent environmental and social regulations, to which producing countries will need to adapt.

The main objective is to contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction through sustainable trade and decent job creation along the T&C value chain. It includes retention of employment in the T&C sector and creation of new higher value-added jobs, as well as supporting innovation on environmental technology and recycling.

Outcome 1: Increased competitiveness of T&C enterprises through sustainable trade

Outcome 2: More effective ecosystem able to direct the T&C sector towards systemic change addressing sustainability and circularity

Principaux résultats attendus:  

Output 1.1 Environmental roadmaps and waste valorisation strategies for MSMEs established

Output 1.2 Capacity development on lean manufacturing, digital solutions and women workers’ promotion conducted

Output 1.3 Market linkages for exports and input sourcing for enterprises facilitated

Output 2.1 Measures on circularity and sustainability for BSOs and academia implemented and partnerships within academia facilitated

Output 2.2 Strengthened trade policies elaborated to support the green transition

Output 2.3 Regional MENA T&C linkages developed and collaboration between enterprises, BSOs, academia and policy makers facilitated

Output 2.4 Global T&C linkages, tools and knowledge sharing instruments developed

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

The first phase of GTEX (in MENA and Central Asia regions) has shown very promising results. Overall, 3900 jobs were created through 75 million US$ in additional exports by beneficiary SMEs between 2018 and 2022. 54 companies implemented resource efficient and cleaner production (RECP) methods leading to 2.35 million US$ of cost savings, 1.15 million kW/h energy savings, 81241 tons of CO2 reductions, and 150,402 m3 water reduction. At academic level, 37 curricula were developed/updated and 1152 students placed in internships.

According to an external evaluation, GTEX was implemented in a manner consistent. Evaluation recommendations mainly refer to improving internal processes and focusing on key sustainability aspects : better monitoring and results management, more synergies with other partners in the countries and beyond, special attention toward green transition.