Korean Textile Industry Chief Expands K-Fashion Cooperation in Europe

The Korea Textile Industry Association announced on June 9 that President Choi Byung-oh will visit France, Italy, and Belgium from June 10 to 15 to meet with key representatives from local textile and fashion organizations.

According to the association, Choi will meet with Olivier Ducatillon, President of the French Textile Industry Association (UIT), Pierre-François Le Roux, President of the French Clothing and Fashion Industry Association (UFIMH), and Yann Libourel, President of the French Women's Ready-to-Wear Association (FFPAPF) in Paris on June 11. The discussions will focus on cooperation between the textile and fashion industries of both countries, particularly in areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, and industrial innovation.

On June 12, Choi will attend a business meeting in Rome alongside Hyewon Choi, CEO of Hyungji I&C. He will then meet with Silvana Pezzoli, Vice President of the Italian Textile and Fashion Industry Association, to discuss ways to enhance exchanges between companies in both countries.

From June 13 to 14, Choi will visit Brussels, Belgium. During this time, he is scheduled to meet with Dirk Vantyghem, Secretary General of the EU Textile and Fashion Federation, and Paul Lombard, Secretary General of the EU Eco-Design Regulation (ESPR) Joint Research Center, Centexbel. They will review the implementation status of the EU's 'Sustainable Textile Strategy' related to ESPR textile readiness research.

Additionally, discussions will cover topics of interest to the domestic industry, including the Forced Labor Prevention Act, supply chain transparency policies, EU trade policies, and strategies for expanding textile manufacturing between South Korea and the EU.

A representative from the association stated, "This tour of France, Italy, and Belgium will accelerate K-Fashion's entry into the European market and serve as a significant opportunity to enhance cooperation between Korea and Europe."

Meanwhile, the association announced the appointment of Byung-man Byeon, former policy planning director of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as the new executive vice president.