German retailers are supporting sustainable development of Myanmar’s textile industry. The partnership will initially run for three years. The core of the project is the creation of structures which enable a sustainable textile production with fair working conditions. Through training and seminars local textile producers will be encouraged to improve their standards, productivity and product quality.

Economic and development cooperation will work together to improve the supply chain’s social standards. The ultimate aim is to help Myanmar’s garment industry compete in the global market.

Myanmar has not only ambitious growth targets for its textile industry but wants to make this growth sustainable. By 2024, the textile industry in Myanmar is targeting a revenue of $10 billion. Currently exports of the textile industry are at about $1.8 billion.

Germany is Myanmar’s principal trading partner in the European Union. Germany’s main imports from Myanmar are garments and its principal exports to Myanmar are machinery, data processing equipment, electrical and optical goods, chemical products, motor vehicles and vehicle parts and pharmaceutical products. Of Myanmar’s garment exports, woven garments have driven the growth of exports while exports of knit products have been flat over the years.