The local textile industry, due to relatively cheap and experienced work force and proximity to the EU market, and opportunities to work in a small series, is becoming more interesting to foreign companies that wish to make their products in the RS.
Due to this, all significant economic trends are asserted in the Association of Leather, Textile and Footwear to the RS Chamber of Commerce.
Aleksandra Mihajlović-Bijelić, Secretary of the Association, explained that foreign companies are very interested to produce their textiles or their parts in the RS.
She said that, in addition to the above advantages, foreign textile companies do not neglect the relatively cheap energy, which would certainly be important so that it does not lead to increases in energy prices in the RS.
Mihajlović-Bijelić said that companies from this area are largely export-oriented.
The most important trade partners of local textile companies are currently from Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Croatia and Serbia.
Nikola Tolimir, the Director of the Banja Luka Company “Exclusive Lingerie”, which deals with the production of lingerie, said that despite the conditions resulting from the crisis, they do not have a reason to complain.
“In the 25 years of the existence of this company, which in the beginning employed 8 people and worked mostly on activities for foreigners, came to a position where 60 people were employed in our facilities and we are working on our brand for nearly the entire volume’’, said Tolimir.
He added that in “Exclusive Lingerie”, managed to stop doing loan business finishing work, although offers for loan business are still coming.
The textile, leather and footwear industry is an important segment in the RS processing sector and employees around 8.500 people, said the Federation of Trade Unions of the RS.
The Trade Unionists said that these sectors currently have the least paid hour of work in the processing sector, which is between 2,10 and 2,60 KM.
The textile, leather and footwear sector in the RS is quoted as a low accumulative branch of industry and employs predominantly female workers.
(Source: Nezavisne Novine)
