EVENTS

In 2010, CAMTEX held the first edition of FOROTEX under the theme: “The Future of the Textile and Clothing Industry of CAFTA-DR before the Commercial Policy of the United States”, for which there was the participation of more than 150 industry representatives.

Among the speakers who participated in FOROTEX 2010 are

• Julia Hughes, President of the United States Association of Textile and Garment Importers (USA-ITA/IDS);
• Cass Johnson, President of the National Council of Textile Organizations in the United States (NCTO for its acronym in English);
• David García Cosio, President of the National Chamber of the Textile Industry in Mexico (CANAINTEX) Jonathan Fee, Associate Lawyer of Alston & Bird (United States),
• Rolando Figueroa, Member of the Guatemalan Textile and Apparel Industry Commission (VESTEX),
• Dean Garcia from ROCEDES Apparel (Nicaragua),
• Liggia Barrios Director Vestex (Guatemala)
• Jerry Cook, Vice President, International Trade Department, HanesBrands (United States)

“CAFTA VRS. ASIA: Competitiveness strategies to strengthen the region” was the theme for the second edition of FOROTEX in 2011.

It was attended by international and national speakers such as: Cass Johnson, President of the National Council of Organizations of the Textile Sector in the United States (NCTO for its acronym in English); Julia Hughes, President of the United States Garment and Textile Importers Association (USA-ITA/IDS).

In addition to Walter Wilhelm, President of Walter Wilhelm & Associates, and a global expert in textiles and clothing; Jonathan Fee, a customs compliance attorney at Alston & Bird in Washington, DC; Manuel Enrique Hinds, Economist expert in economic issues and global competitiveness; licda. Claudia Kattán – Vice President for Crowley's North Central America Zone; Lic. Giovanni Berti, Director of Exports of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of El Salvador - PROESA.

FOROTEX 2016 was held within the framework of the 10th anniversary of CAFTA-DR.

During this year's forum called: “Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of CAFTA: What will we do to compete against the TPP?” we will focus on how the CAFTA-DR textiles and apparel sector can better prepare to meet increasing competition from TPP exporters such as Vietnam and Malaysia by reviewing what we have done right over the past decade; building on the achievements and identifying the challenges and opportunities posed by the TPP.

“Strengthening the supply chain from El Salvador in CAFTA-DR”, was the theme that gave life to FOROTEX 2018 and where conference days were held with international specialists, including Steve Lamar, vice president of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA); Julia K. Hughes, President of the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA); Mike Todaro, CEO of the Americas Apparel Producers' Network (AAPN); Jung Ha-Brookshire, professor and director of graduate studies in Textiles and Apparel Management, University of Missouri; Andrew Samet of Samet and Associates; and Patricia Smith, regional manager of Inspections for Latin America at Bureau Veritas.

In 2022, CAMTEX inaugurated its first Sustainability Forum called: "Sustainability: Commitment from the fiber to the garment with the environment and with society".

The Forum, which was broadcast online around the world, featured key players in the innovation and creation of environmentally friendly garments such as Cotton Incorporated, UNIFI's Repreve brand, Cotton Council International, the CiCLO program of the company CS Central America among others.

Essential figures in the supply chain also participated, such as the members of the National Council of Textile Organizations of the United States, and companies that produce cloth in El Salvador such as Petenatti.

At the event, garment producing companies shared their experiences, including Intradeco Apparel, HanesBrands Inc. and Hilasal, as well as representatives from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Coalition for Sustainable Apparel, and the International Cotton Council. .

CAMTEX held the second sustainability forum for the textile and clothing sector focused on the Higg Index indicator in the country, to show the implementation of this indicator within local companies. The measurement parameter is becoming a valued test when closing deals with the big clothing brands on a global scale and that are part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC).

In the third Edition of the Sustainability Forum called “International quality standards for wastewater discharges in the textile sector, benefits of the ZDHC.”.

The Roadmap to Zero (route to zero) is an ambitious program promoted by the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) foundation that was created since 2011 and whose ultimate goal is the elimination of all products harmful chemicals from the value chain linked to the fashion and clothing industry.

By making this initiative known, CAMTEX anticipates that more industrialists will know the benefits of adopting this strategy, which is already being considered by the big brands and benefits those suppliers that have made advances in the field of chemical and wastewater management more clean.

The Chamber of the Textile and Clothing Industry of El Salvador (CAMTEX), held its fourth sustainability forum called: Traceability and Social Compliance in the Supply Chain.

During the event, held virtually, industry leaders participated on a global scale, from different geographical areas, who shared the best practices in order to maintain a sustainable supply chain based on traceability.

During the forum, presentations by major brands such as Unifi, HanesBrands, Adidas, Textile Genesis were made public, as well as presentations by members of international associations that regulate the industry such as the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA for its acronym in English), Cotton Inc. and the US Cotton Protocol. From the point of view of the support infrastructure for production, members of the most important free zones in the country, such as the El Pedregal Free Zone, also participated.

CAMTEX held its fifth Sustainability Forum focused on sharing international best practices to advance towards a decarbonization process in the industry.

The Forum called “The Challenge of Decarbonization, the impact of carbon footprint emissions in the Textile Industry in El Salvador”, was totally virtual with the presence of more than 100 national attendees and from the Central American region.

During the event, specialists from the Peterson firm from different geographical areas participated, who shared strategies to improve environmental efficiency in production processes.

Peterson is a firm specialized in carrying out audit, measurement and improvement processes regarding decarbonization on a global scale.

Recognition of 5 collaborators from the Textile and Clothing Sector.

In previous years, this recognition had been granted to renowned businessmen in the sector. In 2010, for the first time, recognition was given to collaborators in the Textile, Clothing and Free Trade Zones sector.

For this award, five attributes that characterize and represent the labor force of the sector were taken into account: competitiveness, dedication, positive attitude, service time and improvement.

The category winners are:

• Competitiveness: Alex Antonio Navas, from the company Fruit of the Loom,
• Positive attitude: Amelia del Carmen Hernández from the company INTRADESA,
• Overcoming: Congratulates Guardado from the company GARAN,
• Delivery fee: Jose Alfredo Ortiz from HILASAL
• Service time: Oscar Armando Mejia of HanesBrands Inc.

The selection criteria that were taken into account when choosing the winning employee by category were:

• Exceptional History
• Outstanding effort in adverse conditions
• Performance trajectory in the company
• Integration with the team (leadership and motivation with colleagues)
• Constant desire to improve (go that extra mile)

Fruit of the Loom - Largest exporting and employer company.

The CAMTEX 2011 Award was given to the Largest Exporting and Employing Company in our sector: FRUIT OF THE LOOM, for being a company that through its commitment to excellence, leadership spirit, constant innovation, its high volume of exports and job creation in the country, has helped to enhance and position El Salvador as a world-class supplier .

Elías Bahaia - Recognition of his business career in favor of the economic and social development of the country.

CAMTEX presented its highest honorary award, the 2014 CAMTEX Award, to the Salvadoran businessman, Mr. Elías Jorge Bahaia.

The CAMTEX Award Commission decided to grant recognition to Mr. Elías Jorge Bahaia for his extensive business career in favor of the economic and social development of the country, his commitment, union and leadership, to maintain and increase jobs in the Textile and Clothing Sector. As well as for his unconditional contribution in strengthening and positioning our Union.

United States Ambassador Jean Manes - Valuable contribution to improve the business climate and strengthen the commercial relationship between both countries.

CAMTEX 2022 Award, is awarded to the Salvadoran Institute of Vocational Training - INSAFORP for the valuable contribution it makes to the benefit of the growth of human talent, the strengthening of their skills and competencies and the unconditional support in the generation of opportunities through continuous and professional training for the Textile, Clothing and Free Trade Zones industry.

FIRST PARADE – FIRST GRADUATE IN PATTERN DESIGN AND SCALING

The Chamber of the Textile, Clothing and Free Zones Industry of El Salvador - CAMTEX with the support of the Salvadoran Institution for Professional Training - INSAFORP, carried out the First Parade of Pedagogical Samples that is the Result of the First Diploma in Design and scaling of patterns.

This first Parade of Educational Samples is the result of work carried out by 13 collaborators from 5 companies associated with CAMTEX and the participation of Don Bosco University.

The Diploma in the theme of pattern making responds to the need of the Textile and Clothing Sector to bet on the training of its collaborators for their personal and professional growth, as well as to maintain the competitiveness of the company and the country in order to offer added value to their customers.

At the end of the event, a Certificate was delivered that accredits each of the participants to this Diploma as "Integral Technician of Design and Escalation of Industrial Pattern Making", delivered by the high Institutions of CAMTEX, INSAFORP and CONSULTEXCO, who supported in the training of collaborators during the 9 months.

4 industrial pattern-making modules:

1. Womenswear
2. Men's clothes
3. Children's clothing
4. underwear and sportswear

Participating companies:

• TEXOPS
• PEAK
• INTRADESA
• MERLET
• PRODEPT
• Don Bosco University.

The Chamber of the Textile, Clothing and Free Zones Industry of El Salvador - CAMTEX, made the presentation of its Vision 2030.

Vision 2030 de la industria proposes that the Textile and Clothing Sector be a versatile industry that provides differentiated solutions to various clients to quickly meet the changing needs of the market, focusing on e-commerce strategies, with short runs and fashion.

Through the Forum "Let's go for more: Strengthening Competitiveness: Trends in E-Commerce and Training for the Textile and Clothing Sector in El Salvador", two of the 10 goals of the Vision of the sector are addressed.

In the first pane: The Future of the Industry – Building an E-Commerce Platform, expanded on the impact and opportunities associated with the e-commerce explosion.

In the second panel: International Experiences: knowledge transfer through strategic alliances, the experiences of institutions in Mexico, Spain and Colombia in strengthening the textile and clothing sector of each country through the creation of support systems or strategic alliances in training will be known of the human resource.

CAMTEX Vision 2030 It is divided into 10 specific goals:

GOAL 1: Increase exports to the US by close to $4,200 billion dollars over a period of 15 years. That is, to increase $1,400 billion dollars in exports for five years. Growth would be based on meeting goals of: Export growth by sub-sector, Consolidation of the chain, Investment and creation of new companies or expansions (massive and specialized), Seeking a better use of current trade agreements.
GOAL 2: INDUSTRY 2030: Complete the chain, attracting local and foreign investment in new sub-segments.
GOAL 3: Increase investments considerably – to achieve this, it would be required, at a minimum, to achieve investment attraction goals and expansions of $50 million dollars a year, for 15 years.
GOAL 4: Encourage academic institutions to foster specialization in areas of the textile and clothing industry.
GOAL 5: Design and Technology: Promote design and technology issues, promoting a culture of Research and development of new products in the sector, through the preparation of human resources, in areas of specialization such as: Pattern Maker Programs, Creation of a CAMTEX Award for innovation theme, Develop own design skills.
GOAL 6: Implement efficiency measures within the industry and trade facilitation at country and regional level, to improve delivery times of our products.
GOAL 7: Development of e-commerce strategies, short runs and fashion.
GOAL 8: Support the development of the role and dignity of women throughout the value chain, as a strategic issue with which all corporate social responsibility projects developed by companies in the Textile and Clothing Sector of El Salvador can be linked.
GOAL 9: Achieve in a five-year term that all companies have at least one sustainable project running, with common industry goals of environmental sustainability.
GOAL 10: Better communicate our vision, our goals and our achievements.