Sectorial Brochure Textile & Apparel Industry of Armenia/BA | Page 6

INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Armenian brands’ history
Textile and apparel: Kanaker Garment Factory since 1960, Sarton (subcontractor) since
1990, Arshaluys since 1996, Gloria (subcontractor) since 1997, Melante since 2002, Viva,
Danni (Lentex) since 2003, Artsocks (Hello) since 2008,Hellomedical (Hello) since 2011,
You&me (Hello) since 2012, Alex Textile since 2015.
Leather and shoes: Ava since 1950, Yeghvard since 1986, Sali since 1991, Armos since 1992,
LKR since 2001, Elma shoes since 2002, SAFIAN since 2007, Simona (Simar) since 2010.
Interesting information about textile sector
Evidence of Armenian garment-making exists from even further back in history. A 5900
year old skirt fragment found in Armenia is the second oldest garment discovered in the
world.
Carpet weaving
The most traditional subsector in textile industry of Armenia is handmade carpet
weaving. New fashion Armenian rugs designed with old traditional ornaments have high
demand in USA, Russian Federation and Europe.
Supporting project
One of the key supporting projects in the industry is United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) Project “Improving Competitiveness of Export-
Oriented Industries in Armenia through Modernization and Market Access”.
Objective of the project is to contribute to the implementation of the National Strategy
for Export-Oriented Industrial Policy and the Strategy for Development of the Textile
Industry of Armenia through strengthening productivity, competitiveness and collective
export capacities of Armenian manufacturing companies operating in the priority light
industries.
Main achievements of the UNIDO Project since 2014
£ Sustainable partnerships with the largest retail chains in the region and conclusion
of export contracts.
£ Establishment of Export Consortium to organize and promote joint exports,
business networking and institutional partnerships between local shoe and
garment producers, developers (design, modelling) and exporters.
£ Capacity building workshops and seminars conducted by UNIDO international
experts on design and pattern making, etc.
£ Establishment of the representative fashion center of Milan-based “Istituto di
Moda Burgo” in Yerevan, launching of pattern-making and fashion illustration
courses with Burgo methodology.
£ Way forward: Establishment of the Light Industry Development Cluster Center to
serve as an innovative training and service center
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