A Welcome From Halit Narin
ITMF president discusses 2009 conference plans, federation goals and the state of the textile industry marketplace.
Jürg Rupp, Executive Editor
T
he 2009 ITMF Annual Conference will take place in Shanghai, October 23-25. In an
exclusive interview with
Textile World Asia
, Halit Narin, International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) president since
2008, welcomed the global delegates to Shanghai and reflected on ITMF and the future of the global
textile industry.
TW Asia : Mr. Narin, the 2009 ITMF conference will take place in Shanghai. Please welcome our readers to the conference.
Narin: As president of ITMF, I am pleased to invite all the leaders and representatives of the international textile industry to our annual conference. The manufacturers and especially the textile industrialists all around the world are passing through a difficult period because of the global economic crisis. And at this time, we put special emphasis on this meeting, at which we will discuss many issues and the future of textiles. In 2008, our federation accepted China into the membership of ITMF, and this year, our new member association, the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), will host the ITMF annual conference.
Structural Adjustments
TW Asia : What do you expect from the conference in Shanghai?
Narin: This year, our federation has chosen Shanghai as the venue of the conference, and the general theme of the conference is defined as "Structural Adjustments in the World Textile Industry." This year, we will meet in China, the country that possesses the largest textile manufacturing capacity in the world. I expect that we will have a very successful conference.
ITMF: Representing
The Global Textile Industry
TW Asia: Why should the delegates come to Shanghai?
Narin: ITMF is the international body that represents the textile industry worldwide. I hope and expect that ITMF will draw a large number of members of the textile chain in Shanghai and China, and will provide the participants with the opportunity to become informed about the current developments in the economy and textile industry, and to exchange views. The delegates will listen to speakers from diversified sectors of the economy, finance and industry. I should also mention that Turkey's member association, the Turkish Textile Employers' Association, has invited Gerhard Schröder, former Chancellor of Germany, to give a keynote address during our conference. He is an excellent speaker with a deep knowledge of international political and economic affairs, and I believe the delegates will be interested to listen to Mr. Schröder. In addition to very interesting sessions on fibers, textiles and retail industry, we also will have a workshop on innovation and innovative textiles. A visit to the China International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics and Accessories (Intertextile Shanghai) 2009 is also included in our conference program.
Halit Narin
TW Asia : You are the current ITMF president. What were the reasons to become president of ITMF?
Narin: During my business life, I have always believed in collective and team work and have been a member of various industrial and sectoral organizations and also have presided over several organizations in Turkey. I am still president of the Turkish Textile Employers' Association, which joined ITMF in 1974. Since that time, we have closely followed the activities of our federation, and through the federation's reports and meetings we have been informed of the developments in the world textile industry.
In 2004, the year in which we commemorated the centennial of the federation, members of the ITMF Committee of Management elected me vice president of the federation. After serving as vice president, I was elected in 2008 to the presidency of ITMF. I have taken over that office with honor, commitment and plans for the future of the federation.
TW Asia : What is your personal philosophy in business?
Narin: In business, as an industrialist and entrepreneur, I work always to achieve the best. In my business life, I have always had an approach of respecting social balances. I have adopted as a principle to carry out activities for the healthy functioning of the economy, with the belief that production is the heart of the economy and the entrepreneurs are the brain of the economy.
TW Asia : What is your philosophy as ITMF president?
Narin: As ITMF president, I focus my ideas, considerations and representative work mainly on the development of textiles, a sector that has a history parallel to that of humanity and also a future throughout the life of humanity. For the future of textiles, ITMF must provide textile manufacturers with the right information and opinions to achieve success under the current global conditions.
TW Asia : What are your targets as ITMF president?
Narin: Together with the Board members, we will have to move forward to strengthen the reputation of the federation in the global textile arena. My targets are to create an even more active and effective organization, thus to represent the textile industry worldwide - and furthermore, to make ITMF an opinion leader and to strengthen the membership base of ITMF at a time when the textile manufacturing industry is in a period of transition.
Current Market Situation
TW Asia : How do you see the current market situation for the textile industry?
Narin: The financial crisis has become a global crisis for the real economy. The economic activity in developed and also developing countries fell in the final quarter of 2008 and in the first quarter of 2009. Unemployment has increased. Tighter financial conditions, together with increased uncertainty, caused individuals to delay purchases, and companies to reduce production and cut back investment expenditures. Under these general conditions, the outlook of the textile manufacturing industry is not different. The world textile industry has been seriously affected by the global economic crisis. During an era of slower economic growth, underutilization of manufacturing capacity and declining sales dominate also the textile sector.
TW Asia : Do you see any signs of recovery?
Narin: As far as the economic indicators are concerned and according to the report of the World Bank, global output is forecast to fall by 2.9 percent and world trade by nearly 10 percent in 2009. Despite the decline in gross domestic product, a number of indicators point to the beginning of a recovery. Fiscal stimulus measures, and modest improvements in exports in some countries and in consumer demand are among the factors pointing to the beginning of recovery. However, several factors point to continued weakness - mainly, unemployment continues to rise worldwide. Consequently, the timing and strength of the awaited recovery in the global economy remains uncertain.Nonetheless, textiles will have a successful future. There will always be consumer demand for both traditional and innovative products in the textile sector, and our industry will survive by adjusting to the changing conditions.
July/August/September 2009
TW Asia : Mr. Narin, the 2009 ITMF conference will take place in Shanghai. Please welcome our readers to the conference.
Narin: As president of ITMF, I am pleased to invite all the leaders and representatives of the international textile industry to our annual conference. The manufacturers and especially the textile industrialists all around the world are passing through a difficult period because of the global economic crisis. And at this time, we put special emphasis on this meeting, at which we will discuss many issues and the future of textiles. In 2008, our federation accepted China into the membership of ITMF, and this year, our new member association, the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), will host the ITMF annual conference.
Structural Adjustments
TW Asia : What do you expect from the conference in Shanghai?
Narin: This year, our federation has chosen Shanghai as the venue of the conference, and the general theme of the conference is defined as "Structural Adjustments in the World Textile Industry." This year, we will meet in China, the country that possesses the largest textile manufacturing capacity in the world. I expect that we will have a very successful conference.
ITMF: Representing
The Global Textile Industry
TW Asia: Why should the delegates come to Shanghai?
Narin: ITMF is the international body that represents the textile industry worldwide. I hope and expect that ITMF will draw a large number of members of the textile chain in Shanghai and China, and will provide the participants with the opportunity to become informed about the current developments in the economy and textile industry, and to exchange views. The delegates will listen to speakers from diversified sectors of the economy, finance and industry. I should also mention that Turkey's member association, the Turkish Textile Employers' Association, has invited Gerhard Schröder, former Chancellor of Germany, to give a keynote address during our conference. He is an excellent speaker with a deep knowledge of international political and economic affairs, and I believe the delegates will be interested to listen to Mr. Schröder. In addition to very interesting sessions on fibers, textiles and retail industry, we also will have a workshop on innovation and innovative textiles. A visit to the China International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics and Accessories (Intertextile Shanghai) 2009 is also included in our conference program.
Halit Narin
TW Asia : You are the current ITMF president. What were the reasons to become president of ITMF?
Narin: During my business life, I have always believed in collective and team work and have been a member of various industrial and sectoral organizations and also have presided over several organizations in Turkey. I am still president of the Turkish Textile Employers' Association, which joined ITMF in 1974. Since that time, we have closely followed the activities of our federation, and through the federation's reports and meetings we have been informed of the developments in the world textile industry.
In 2004, the year in which we commemorated the centennial of the federation, members of the ITMF Committee of Management elected me vice president of the federation. After serving as vice president, I was elected in 2008 to the presidency of ITMF. I have taken over that office with honor, commitment and plans for the future of the federation.
TW Asia : What is your personal philosophy in business?
Narin: In business, as an industrialist and entrepreneur, I work always to achieve the best. In my business life, I have always had an approach of respecting social balances. I have adopted as a principle to carry out activities for the healthy functioning of the economy, with the belief that production is the heart of the economy and the entrepreneurs are the brain of the economy.
TW Asia : What is your philosophy as ITMF president?
Narin: As ITMF president, I focus my ideas, considerations and representative work mainly on the development of textiles, a sector that has a history parallel to that of humanity and also a future throughout the life of humanity. For the future of textiles, ITMF must provide textile manufacturers with the right information and opinions to achieve success under the current global conditions.
TW Asia : What are your targets as ITMF president?
Narin: Together with the Board members, we will have to move forward to strengthen the reputation of the federation in the global textile arena. My targets are to create an even more active and effective organization, thus to represent the textile industry worldwide - and furthermore, to make ITMF an opinion leader and to strengthen the membership base of ITMF at a time when the textile manufacturing industry is in a period of transition.
Current Market Situation
TW Asia : How do you see the current market situation for the textile industry?
Narin: The financial crisis has become a global crisis for the real economy. The economic activity in developed and also developing countries fell in the final quarter of 2008 and in the first quarter of 2009. Unemployment has increased. Tighter financial conditions, together with increased uncertainty, caused individuals to delay purchases, and companies to reduce production and cut back investment expenditures. Under these general conditions, the outlook of the textile manufacturing industry is not different. The world textile industry has been seriously affected by the global economic crisis. During an era of slower economic growth, underutilization of manufacturing capacity and declining sales dominate also the textile sector.
TW Asia : Do you see any signs of recovery?
Narin: As far as the economic indicators are concerned and according to the report of the World Bank, global output is forecast to fall by 2.9 percent and world trade by nearly 10 percent in 2009. Despite the decline in gross domestic product, a number of indicators point to the beginning of a recovery. Fiscal stimulus measures, and modest improvements in exports in some countries and in consumer demand are among the factors pointing to the beginning of recovery. However, several factors point to continued weakness - mainly, unemployment continues to rise worldwide. Consequently, the timing and strength of the awaited recovery in the global economy remains uncertain.Nonetheless, textiles will have a successful future. There will always be consumer demand for both traditional and innovative products in the textile sector, and our industry will survive by adjusting to the changing conditions.
July/August/September 2009
Advertisement
欢迎各地代表Halit Narin
2009 ITMF年会将于10月23-25日在上海召开。《亚洲纺织世界》对国际纺织制造商联合会 (ITMF) 主席HalitNarin先生进行了专访。H
alitNarin先生自2008年起担任这一职务，访问中他欢迎全球的代表前来上海，并介绍了ITMF的工作，还谈到了全球纺织产业的未来。
《亚洲纺织世界》：Narin先生，2009ITMF年会将在上海召开。请给我们的读者介绍一下这届年会。
Narin：作为ITMF主席，我很荣幸邀请国际纺织产业界的所有领导和代表来参加我们的年会。由于全球经济危机的影响，全世界的制造商 -- 特别是纺织行业，正在经历一个困难的时期。因此，在
这期间，我们非常重视这次年会，我们将讨论很多议题，以及纺织业的未来。 2008年，我们联合会接纳了中国成为我们的会员。今年，我们的新的会员协会，中国纺织工业协会 (CNTAC)
将主办这次ITMF年会。
结构调整
《亚洲纺织世界》：对于本届上海年会你有什么期望?
Narin：今年我们联合会选择了上海作为大会召开的城市，本届年会的主题确定为“世界纺织产业的结构调整”。今年，我们在中国相会。这是世界最大的纺织品生产国。
ITMF:代表全球纺织行业
《亚洲纺织世界》：为什么要让代表们去上海?
Narin：
ITMF是一个国际组织，代表了全世界的纺织产业。我希望并期盼ITMF能够吸引在上海或者是中国的一大批的纺织产业链上的会员—因为中国是一个纺织制造大国，让 参会者有机会了解目前的经济以及纺织产业的发展状况，并交换意见。 代表们将会听到来自经济、金融和产业界各领域的发言者的观点。我要特别提到的是，我们的土耳其会员协会—土耳其纺织雇主协会，邀 请了德国前总理斯罗德来为我们的大会发表主题演讲。 他是一位杰出的演说家，对国际政治和经济事务有深刻的理解，我相信代表们会很有兴趣倾听他的发言。此外还有涉及纤维、纺织品和零售环节的非常有趣的话题，我 们也安排了一个创新和创新纺织品的专题研讨会。 在我们的会议议程中还包括了参观2009中国国际纺织面料辅料博览会 (上海Intertextile展)。我坚信代表们会从大会丰富的活动中获益。
Halit Narin
《亚洲纺织世界》：您是现任的ITMF主席。是什么原因让你成为ITMF主席?
Narin：在我的职业生涯中，我一直相信集体和团队工作。我也一直是多个行业和细分领域的组织的成员。我还担任过土耳其几个协会的主席。目前，我还是土耳其纺织雇主协会的主席，该 协会是1974年加入的ITMF。从那时起，我们就积极参与该联合会的各项活动，从联合会的各种报告和会议中，我们获悉了世界纺织产业的发展变化。 2004年，我们庆祝了这个联合会成立100周年，I TMF管理委员会的成员选择了我作为联合会的副主席。担任副主席后，我又在2008年被选举为ITMF的主席。我很荣幸能够担任这一职务，我将为联合会的未来作出我的贡献。
《亚洲纺织世界》：请介绍一下您的个人职业生涯?
Narin：在商界，我是一名实业家和企业家，我的工作目标总是向最好前进。在我的职业生涯中，我一直都尊重社会平衡。我的原则就是各项活动遵循经济的健康功能，我相信生产是经济的心脏，企 业家是经济的大脑。
《亚洲纺织世界》：作为ITMF主席您的哲学观是什么?
Narin：作为ITMF主席，我把我的想法、思考和代表性的工作主要集中于纺织业的发展，这一产业是与人类历史并行发展的，在未来也会贯穿我们人类生命的始终。对于纺织业的未来，I TMF必须为纺织品制造商提供准确的信息和观点，以便他们在目前的全球形势下获得成功。
《亚洲纺织世界》：您作为ITMF主席的目标是什么?
Narin：我将与董事会成员一道，致力于增强联合会在全球纺织领域的声誉。我的目标是打造一个更加活跃和有效率的组织，能够代表全世界的纺织产业。此外，让ITMF成为一个意见方面的领袖，在 目前纺织制造产业面临转型的时期巩固ITMF的会员基础。
目前的市场状况
《亚洲纺织世界》：您怎么看目前纺织行业面临的市场状况?
Narin：金融危机已经演变成为实体经济的全球性危机。不论是发达国家还是发展中国家的经济活动都在2008年第四季度和2009年第一季度陷入了衰退。失业上升。紧缩的金融环境，加 之不断增长的不确定性，让民众延迟了购买，企业减少了生产并消减了投资开支。在这一大环境下，纺织制�觳�档那熬耙膊焕©外。世界纺织行业已经受到了全球经济危机的严重影响。在经济增长减缓的时期，企 业开工不足和销售下跌是纺织领域的普遍现象。
《亚洲纺织世界》：您看到了复苏的迹象了吗?
Narin：就目前所观察到的经济指标，以及根据世界银行的报告，2009年的全球生产将下跌2.9%，世界贸易下跌10%。 虽然GDP在下降，但很多指标显示复苏在悄然发生。 财政刺激政策，一 些国家出口和消费者需求的轻微增长，这些因素都指向了经济复苏的开始。 当然，还有一些因素显示衰退仍在进行 -- 主要是失业还在全球攀升。因此，期待中的全球经济复苏的时机和力度仍然不确定。
不管怎样，纺织产业将有一个成功的未来。在纺织领域里，总是有对传统的和创新的产品的消费者需求，我们的产业将自我调整以适应不断变化的环境。