20 Egyptian firms achieve impressive RECP results under ITC programme

The programme supports companies in understanding and adapting their productions according to the latest international requirements.

Companies invested $2.7 million to implement the recommended RECP measures, and realised savings of $1.67 million per year. Overall, these measures will translate into an annual reduction of 81,230 tonnes of carbon dioxide, ITC said in a press note.

RECP expert Aziz Elsalmawy explained that companies introducing servo-stepper motors to sewing machines reduced standby energy consumption by 90 per cent of the original value. Introducing motion sensors to control the light and sewing machine has led to 20 per cent energy savings in less than two years, with less than $25 initial cost per machine.

The training and coaching session on lean manufacturing—started in 2020—also showed fruitful results. Over 60 participants from companies, business support institutions and other professionals in the garment industry have attended over 360 hours of online training, coaching sessions and factory visits.

As a result, beneficiaries are experiencing an ongoing transition process in the factory that leads to cultural changes and progressive initiatives for improving product and delivery quality, reducing production lead time and material waste, the press note said.

ITC designed a programme on social compliance with the International Labour Organization's Better Work and Score initiatives. Seventeen companies benefitted from the training, which led to 60 initiatives that radically improved the working conditions of companies' employees.

These included mainstreaming grievance mechanisms, accident reporting systems, establishing an occupational safety and health committee and improving canteen facilities.

"As the world is recovering from the pandemic and as demand in textile is picking up, Egyptian manufacturers are more than ever confronted with the need of becoming even more competitive while complying with strict environmental and social standards," said Matthias Knappe, ITC programme manager of fibres, textiles and clothing.

"Egypt has great potential. Sustainability will be vital to helping the country's industry strengthen the 'Made in Egypt' brand in international markets as a sourcing destination that is reliable, efficient and actively reduces its environmental footprint and respects its workers' rights and conditions," he added.

In 2022, the GTEX/MENATEX project plans to further promote the sustainable and social agenda in the national garment sector by replicating the social compliance training and coaching programme to other companies while introducing a gender component and equal access to benefits.

In addition, the project plans an advanced programme on productivity improvement for those who have already participated in the activities.

The GTEX MENATEX programme is funded by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, focusing on six priority countries: Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Tunisia.

It aims to encourage exports of textiles and clothing from developing countries to promote employment and income generation throughout the value chain.