Swiss Textiles International
The trade association working globally on behalf of its members
From trade delegations to attractive markets and European sister associations to international chambers of commerce: one of our most important tasks is to connect our members with one another and with relevant partners. We do this both at home and abroad. The photo gallery in this dossier takes you on a tour of the most important visits of the current year.
We champion the industry’s interests and influence policy at national and European level.
Hello from the conference hall in Hanoi, Vietnam! On 18 October, Switzerland and the other three EFTA states signed the free trade agreement with Vietnam in the capital.
Hello from the conference hall in Hanoi, Vietnam! On 18 October, Switzerland and the other three EFTA states signed the free trade agreement with Vietnam in the capital.
Against this backdrop, our President Andreas Christen (far right in the picture) accompanied Swiss President Guy Parmelin and Seco State Secretary Helene Budliger (right) on their trade mission. Also present: the new President of Economiesuisse and former board member of Swiss Textiles, Silvan Wildhaber (on the left in the picture).
Against this backdrop, our President Andreas Christen (far right in the picture) accompanied Swiss President Guy Parmelin and Seco State Secretary Helene Budliger (right) on their trade mission. Also present: the new President of Economiesuisse and former board member of Swiss Textiles, Silvan Wildhaber (on the left in the picture).
Switzerland and Vietnam have enjoyed good relations for a long time. The new free trade agreement is likely to give these relations a further boost. Pictured: Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm with Guy Parmelin and his wife.
Switzerland and Vietnam have enjoyed good relations for a long time. The new free trade agreement is likely to give these relations a further boost. Pictured: Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm with Guy Parmelin and his wife.
During his trip, Christen took the opportunity to address the concerns of our members, such as sustainable energy supply.
During his trip, Christen took the opportunity to address the concerns of our members, such as sustainable energy supply.
Why does Vietnam play such an important role for Switzerland – and in particular for its textile industry? Vietnam ranks sixth on the list of Switzerland’s most important trading partners. In 2025, Switzerland traded textiles and clothing worth CHF 471.1 million. The vast majority of this – namely CHF 441 million worth of clothing – consisted of imports into Switzerland. Image: Many textile factories are located in Ho Chi Minh City. It is situated in southern Vietnam, which accounts for a third of the country’s textile production.
Why does Vietnam play such an important role for Switzerland – and in particular for its textile industry? Vietnam ranks sixth on the list of Switzerland’s most important trading partners. In 2025, Switzerland traded textiles and clothing worth CHF 471.1 million. The vast majority of this – namely CHF 441 million worth of clothing – consisted of imports into Switzerland. Image: Many textile factories are located in Ho Chi Minh City. It is situated in southern Vietnam, which accounts for a third of the country’s textile production.
Vietnam’s textile industry is particularly popular for its garment manufacturing, sewing and the final production of clothing and footwear. The reasons for this include ideal production conditions, motivated staff and good infrastructure. Our members also appreciate this. Some – including companies such as Jakob Rope Systems, On Shoes and Mammut – operate their own production facilities locally or have their products manufactured there.
Vietnam’s textile industry is particularly popular for its garment manufacturing, sewing and the final production of clothing and footwear. The reasons for this include ideal production conditions, motivated staff and good infrastructure. Our members also appreciate this. Some – including companies such as Jakob Rope Systems, On Shoes and Mammut – operate their own production facilities locally or have their products manufactured there.
Until September 2025, Mercosur was, alongside the US, one of the largest markets with which Switzerland did not yet have a free trade agreement. Following an eight-year negotiation phase between the EFTA states and Mercosur, the agreement was signed almost exactly a year ago.
Pictured here: Guy Parmelin in Rio de Janeiro at the signing ceremony last September.
Until September 2025, Mercosur was, alongside the US, one of the largest markets with which Switzerland did not yet have a free trade agreement. Following an eight-year negotiation phase between the EFTA states and Mercosur, the agreement was signed almost exactly a year ago.
Pictured here: Guy Parmelin in Rio de Janeiro at the signing ceremony last September.
Why is the international economic organisation Mercosur so important for the industry? It comprises five South American countries with a combined population of 260 million people: it therefore offers textile companies a promising market.
However, until now they have only been able to tap into this potential to a limited extent. Tariffs of up to 35 per cent have made exports to Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay more expensive.
Why is the international economic organisation Mercosur so important for the industry? It comprises five South American countries with a combined population of 260 million people: it therefore offers textile companies a promising market.
However, until now they have only been able to tap into this potential to a limited extent. Tariffs of up to 35 per cent have made exports to Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay more expensive.
At the conference held in Brazil’s fourth-largest city, representatives from trade associations and companies from all over the world – including Brazil, China, Portugal and India – came together. Through direct dialogue, Swiss Textiles established contacts with the local industry, which members can build on when developing their business relationships.
At the conference held in Brazil’s fourth-largest city, representatives from trade associations and companies from all over the world – including Brazil, China, Portugal and India – came together. Through direct dialogue, Swiss Textiles established contacts with the local industry, which members can build on when developing their business relationships.
Last stop before the ITMF drew to a close: a visit to Vicunha – Brazil’s largest textile manufacturer...
Last stop before the ITMF drew to a close: a visit to Vicunha – Brazil’s largest textile manufacturer...
... Founded in 1967, the company is a leading player in the denim and woven fabrics sector and sells its products in 20 countries.
... Founded in 1967, the company is a leading player in the denim and woven fabrics sector and sells its products in 20 countries.
Dobar dan from Sarajevo! As part of the Swiss BiH Forum 2026, organised by the Swiss Embassy in the Bosnian capital this June, Swiss Textiles visited the local textile and clothing industry.
The programme for the five-day trip included, amongst other things, visits to member companies Forster Rohner and Tissa Textiles, as well as meetings with the Chamber of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Trade, during which Swiss Textiles raised issues relating to trade. These included, for example, Bosnia’s free trade agreement and the extension of full cumulation under the PEM Agreement.
Dobar dan from Sarajevo! As part of the Swiss BiH Forum 2026, organised by the Swiss Embassy in the Bosnian capital this June, Swiss Textiles visited the local textile and clothing industry.
The programme for the five-day trip included, amongst other things, visits to member companies Forster Rohner and Tissa Textiles, as well as meetings with the Chamber of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Trade, during which Swiss Textiles raised issues relating to trade. These included, for example, Bosnia’s free trade agreement and the extension of full cumulation under the PEM Agreement.
Historically, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland have had close ties: during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995, Switzerland took in around 30,000 refugees. Even after half of them had returned home, the close economic ties remained and continued to develop.
As a result, various Swiss textile companies have their clothing manufactured in Bosnia and Herzegovina or source workwear and protective clothing from there, such as Tissa. The industry association paid a visit to one of its members.
Historically, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland have had close ties: during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995, Switzerland took in around 30,000 refugees. Even after half of them had returned home, the close economic ties remained and continued to develop.
As a result, various Swiss textile companies have their clothing manufactured in Bosnia and Herzegovina or source workwear and protective clothing from there, such as Tissa. The industry association paid a visit to one of its members.
It is no coincidence that the Swiss textile and clothing industry has chosen this Balkan country as a location: geographical proximity, short and straightforward decision-making processes with direct points of contact, and an almost family-like atmosphere in the factories are likely to have made the decision easier.
Whilst conditions are ideal for smaller or specialised production runs, prices for mass production, on the other hand, are once again almost too high and therefore unattractive to clients. Pictured here: Member Forster Rohner gave Swiss Textiles a tour of his production facilities.
It is no coincidence that the Swiss textile and clothing industry has chosen this Balkan country as a location: geographical proximity, short and straightforward decision-making processes with direct points of contact, and an almost family-like atmosphere in the factories are likely to have made the decision easier.
Whilst conditions are ideal for smaller or specialised production runs, prices for mass production, on the other hand, are once again almost too high and therefore unattractive to clients. Pictured here: Member Forster Rohner gave Swiss Textiles a tour of his production facilities.
Why Turkey is relevant: It ranks among the five most important trading partners of the Swiss textile and clothing industry. Throughout the entire production cycle, there are a wide range of opportunities for collaboration for companies in this sector – from development through to production and further processing.
Added to this is its geographical proximity: this makes nearshoring particularly attractive for companies – that is, the relocation of tasks, services or production stages closer to the home market.
Why Turkey is relevant: It ranks among the five most important trading partners of the Swiss textile and clothing industry. Throughout the entire production cycle, there are a wide range of opportunities for collaboration for companies in this sector – from development through to production and further processing.
Added to this is its geographical proximity: this makes nearshoring particularly attractive for companies – that is, the relocation of tasks, services or production stages closer to the home market.