THE DEVELOPMENT DYNAMICS OF THE TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY IN MOLDOVA

The Moldovan textile sector is a major domain of the country’s export and still has a tremendous growth potential. The industry accounted for 1.5% of the GDP and 3.9 (NBS) of the manufacturing GDP. The textile cluster employed over 2,750 workers in 2010, 4,092 in 2011 and 4,118 in 2012. The most important export destinations for Moldovan textile producers are EU countries. Moldova’s main competitive advantages include the competitive workforce and the fact that this is one of the cheapest locations. Most of these jobs are rural-based and taken by young women, who make up 85-95% of all T&A workers. The value of the manufactured textiles was € 33,8 million in 2010 and rose more than twice - up to € 68,14 million in 2011 and € 78,95 in 2012 (NBS). Moldova has an easy access to both CIS and European markets. Over 83 (NBS) companies operate in the Moldovan textile industry, most of them in CM (cut and make), CMT (cut, make and trim) processing. Major foreign partners for outsourcing are of Italian, German and Dutch origin, and include Dolce&Gabbana and Trussardi, for instance.