Under the Patronage of

Minister of Trade and Industry, Arab Republic of Egypt

15-16 March 2009, Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel, Cairo

H.E. Mr. Rachid Mohamed Rachid

Common Challenges and New Opportunities

Organized by In Cooperation With Platinum sponsor

Arab Federation for Textile Industries

The textile industry is considered a major economic sector in many Arab countries in terms of its contribution to employment, total manufacturing value added and exports.

As a result of the recent economic, financial and technological developments and the opening up of markets coupled with the entry of most Arab countries into economic and trade agreements that will affect the sector, there has been an increasing need for an in-depth dialogue addressing key topics pertaining to the future of the sector.

In light of this, the Arab Federation for Textile Industries (AFTI) and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group in cooperation with the Egyptian Chamber of Textile Industries (ECTI) are organizing the Arab Textile Industries Forum on the 15th and 16th of March 2009 at the Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel, Cairo.

The Forum is expected to attract a wide level of participation, including Arab ministers, government officials and policy makers, private sector leaders and investors in the textile industry, and Arab and international experts, in addition to major European and Asian manufacturers of textiles machinery, equipment and raw materials.

The Forum will provide an ideal venue and platform for all parties involved in the Arab textile and clothing industries to meet and discuss outstanding issues in the industry especially in light of the recent economic and technological developments and the international financial crisis, and to arrive at a clear vision and strategy to develop this important sector.

Keynote Address:

Session I - Present situation and future trends in the International textile industry

The session will discuss the status of the textile industry on the international level:

World production

Exports and imports in terms of geographical distribution

Chinese exports

Future trends

Session II - Present situation and future trends in the Arab textile industry

Presentation of the study on “Arab Textile Industries” prepared by the Arab Federation

for Textile Industries (AFTI) in collaboration with the International Development Research

Center Canada-Ottawa (IDRC) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP):

Exports, imports and production

Obstacles and recommendations

Inter - Arab trade

Joint Arab investments

Session III - Success stories in the Arab textile industry in a number of Arab countries

The session will highlight success stories in the textile industry in selected Arab countries (Egypt,

Syria, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan)

Session IV - Financing and investment in Arab textile industry

The availability of financing is considered amongst the major structural obstacles to the growth of

Arab textile companies. This session will shed light on the various available financing options.

Session V - The recent technological developments in the textile industry

The largest international manufacturers will present the latest technological developments

in the textile industry.

Session VI – Conclusion and recommendations

Ten ta t i ve P rogram

The financial and economic crisis and its repercussions on the Arab industry in general

and the textile industry in particular.

Be part of an in-depth discussion on the potential and the challenges facing a changing industry.Get the opinion of experts on the various issues at hand.Network with Arab, European and Asian textile industry leaders and experts.Benefit from Arab and International media coverage.