Australia is looking to develop a sustainable supply chain for its wool industry in Vietnam.
Towards this, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), the research,development and marketing organisation for the Australian wool industry,has been implementing a so-called Out of Vietnam project since lastJune.
The project not only aims to develop a sustainable supply chain in Vietnam, but also to expand its manufacturing sector.
With Australia currently sending about 80 percent of its wool to Chinaand becoming increasingly reliant on this country, AWI sees the need todevelop a new processing and manufacturing market for Australian wool,its General Manager for Product Development and Commercialisation, JimmyJackson, told the English-language daily Vietnam News.
" Vietnam comes out on top in comparison with other countries," Jackson said.
"Vietnam meets a host of essential criteria, including its lowsovereign risk, its well-established textile manufacturing industry andinfrastructure, a large, skilled workforce, its large and growingexports of textile products, its large trade access including a FreeTrade Agreement with the US and an abundant supply of water,' he said.
After visits and meetings with potential partners, the keymessage that has emerged is that "the time is right for wool inVietnam."
Jackson said the country offers an alternativeto relying so heavily on China as the major buyer of Australiangreasy wool.
"We have received a fantastic response to thisproject. Apart from the 30 partners we also have four new wool spinningplants looking to invest as well as about 20 knitters."
AWI owns the Woolmark Company, which is the world's leading wool textile organisation.
The Out of Vietnam project was launched in Hanoi on June 6 and itssecond phase commenced in HCM City on November 29 last year.
Ten industry partners including leading weaving companies have agreedto participate in product development trials commencing March 2013,Jackson said.
Nine leading spinning companies from Italy,Germany, China, Thailand and India participated in a SpinnersMeeting held in Hanoi from December 10-12 last year, where they heldone-on-one meetings with 16 companies from Hanoi and HCM City .
A healthy relationship had been established between AWI andVietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) – the State-ownedarm of the Vietnamese textile industry, Jackson said.
AWIalso plans to host two fashion shows in Hanoi and HCM City aspart of the celebrations of 40 years of diplomatic and trade relationsbetween Vietnam and Australia , showcasing a collection of garmentsall made from Australian Merino wool.
The motto for the fashion shows is "Grown in Australia, Made in Vietnam," said Jackson .
He added that AWI would open a representative office in Hanoi between March and July this year.-VNA
Towards this, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), the research,development and marketing organisation for the Australian wool industry,has been implementing a so-called Out of Vietnam project since lastJune.
The project not only aims to develop a sustainable supply chain in Vietnam, but also to expand its manufacturing sector.
With Australia currently sending about 80 percent of its wool to Chinaand becoming increasingly reliant on this country, AWI sees the need todevelop a new processing and manufacturing market for Australian wool,its General Manager for Product Development and Commercialisation, JimmyJackson, told the English-language daily Vietnam News.
" Vietnam comes out on top in comparison with other countries," Jackson said.
"Vietnam meets a host of essential criteria, including its lowsovereign risk, its well-established textile manufacturing industry andinfrastructure, a large, skilled workforce, its large and growingexports of textile products, its large trade access including a FreeTrade Agreement with the US and an abundant supply of water,' he said.
After visits and meetings with potential partners, the keymessage that has emerged is that "the time is right for wool inVietnam."
Jackson said the country offers an alternativeto relying so heavily on China as the major buyer of Australiangreasy wool.
"We have received a fantastic response to thisproject. Apart from the 30 partners we also have four new wool spinningplants looking to invest as well as about 20 knitters."
AWI owns the Woolmark Company, which is the world's leading wool textile organisation.
The Out of Vietnam project was launched in Hanoi on June 6 and itssecond phase commenced in HCM City on November 29 last year.
Ten industry partners including leading weaving companies have agreedto participate in product development trials commencing March 2013,Jackson said.
Nine leading spinning companies from Italy,Germany, China, Thailand and India participated in a SpinnersMeeting held in Hanoi from December 10-12 last year, where they heldone-on-one meetings with 16 companies from Hanoi and HCM City .
A healthy relationship had been established between AWI andVietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) – the State-ownedarm of the Vietnamese textile industry, Jackson said.
AWIalso plans to host two fashion shows in Hanoi and HCM City aspart of the celebrations of 40 years of diplomatic and trade relationsbetween Vietnam and Australia , showcasing a collection of garmentsall made from Australian Merino wool.
The motto for the fashion shows is "Grown in Australia, Made in Vietnam," said Jackson .
He added that AWI would open a representative office in Hanoi between March and July this year.-VNA
