Austrian Clothing Industry: “Best Performer” in comparison with other Austrian industrial branches

Austrian Clothing Industry: “Best Performer” in comparison with other Austrian industrial branches

“Austria’s Clothing Industry has in comparison with the other industrial branches and despite a negative economical framework in all markets performed relatively well in 1-9 2009 according to Mr. Wolfgang Sima, President of the Association of Austria’s Clothing Industry."

The turnover of the Austrian Clothing Industry decreased by 8 %, orders by 11 %. The workforce was reduced by 5,4 %.

The average turnover of all Austrian Industries decreased by 20 %, orders by 27 % and employment by 5,7 %.

Mr. Franz J. Pitnik, Managing Director of the Association of the Austrian Clothing Industry, points out that in 2009 – as a consequence of the economic situation – for the first time since many years normally increasing imports were 8 % below the level of 2008. The imports from other EU members (Germany € 712 million; -3,1 % / Italy € 232 million; -10,5 % / France € 39 million; -7 %) as well as imports from low-wage countries (PR China € 636 million; -4,4 % / Turkey € 196 million. €; -6,8 % / Bangladesh € 126 million; -7 %) were decreasing.

Unfortunately also the clothing exports from Austria in 1-9 2009 did not grow like in all the previous years. Nevertheless the Austrian Clothing Industry is trying intensively to defend its position in foreign markets. Therefore there will be the 11^th group participation at spring CPM in Moscow, initiated by the Association of the Austrian Clothing Industry. The internationally well accepted brands Airfield (http://www.airfield.at/), Giesswein (http://www.giesswein.at/), Schneiders / Habsburg (http://www.schneiders.com/de/), and Sportalm/Emotion (http://www.sportalm.at/) will participate at this trade fair to show that they are a reliable partners also under the given circumstances.

Mr. Sima, President of the Association points out that the global crisis is also hitting the Austrian production partners in Central and South-Eastern Europe. As a positive side effect the availability of Clothing industry workers in these countries has increased. Also the strong rise of wages has been stopped.

From a general economic point of view Mr. Sima proposes to relieve industry ("real economy") of tax burdens and to increase the contributions of the financial world.

www.fashion-industry.at