The General Assembly of Euratex has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as president, thereby confirming its confidence in his leadership at a crucial time for the European textile and clothing industry.
For his new term, Machado has identified three priorities relating to the competitiveness of the textile industry: the first is competitiveness as a cornerstone. Machado made it clear that competitiveness must be the starting point for any successful industrial policy, because without competitiveness there can be no investment, innovation, sustainability or strategic autonomy. Euratex will therefore continue to work towards creating a more favourable business environment for textile companies, supporting investment in automation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, skills and innovation, particularly for SMEs.
Furthermore, there must be a genuine level playing field for all products sold in Europe, not just those manufactured in Europe. The President has repeatedly called for stricter market surveillance, better enforcement of rules at borders and more effective monitoring of imports sold via digital platforms, so that European businesses are not put at a disadvantage compared to products that circumvent EU rules on safety, the environment and consumer protection.
Finally, support for industry during the transition phase, which must be green and digital but which strengthens European industry rather than weakening it. For Euratex, sustainability must become a source of competitiveness, not an obstacle, and businesses need realistic standards, affordable energy, workable measures and targeted support to adapt successfully. Machado also emphasised the importance of stimulating demand for sustainable textiles made in Europe, including through public procurement and transparency tools that are feasible for businesses.
The General Assembly also confirmed the composition of the Executive Committee, which will consist of Franz Peter Falke (T+M, Germany), Barbara Cimmino (Confindustria Moda, Italy), Ismail Kolunsag (IHKIB, Turkey) and Grégory Marchand (UIT, France)
