EC outlines plan to boost European leathergoods and textiles
05/12/2013
The 11-stage plan looks at both the fashion and high-end sectors and sets out initiatives, to be implemented over the “next few years”, that will enable it to better compete on a global stage.
Two ‘stages’ focus on skills and training - setting up Europe-wide apprenticeship schemes and encouraging young people to enter the industry.
The EC will offer IT help to help companies to keep pace with the increasing use of mobile devices and a growing demand for content. It will also encourage the development of clusters of similar manufacturers to foster innovation.
To deter counterfeiting, a ‘Stop fakes’ campaign will launch in member states; customs officials will be offered more training; and customs relationships with countries such as China and Hong Kong will be reinforced.
A helpdesk, MERCOSUR IPR SME, will be launched at the end of this year to help SMEs better understand IPR protection in key markets, and SMEs will have improved access to finance and loans.
The EC will improve procedures for obtaining visas, since a high number of luxury leathergoods purchases in Europe are made by tourists from Asia. The commission will propose modifications to the visa code and to the other main visa policy instruments, in order to take fully into account the economic potential benefits.
A new system for labelling leather is also under review with the industry encouraged to participate in the consultation period, until the end of January, 2014.
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