Swiss Textiles International
The trade association working on behalf of its members around the world
From business delegations to attractive markets and European sister organisations to international chambers of commerce: one of our most important tasks is to facilitate networking amongst our members and with relevant partners. We do this both at home and abroad. We champion the interests of the sector and influence policy at national and European level. The photo gallery in this dossier takes you on a tour of the most important visits of the current year.
Dobar dan! As part of the Swiss BiH Forum 2026 this June, organised by the Swiss Embassy in Sarajevo, Swiss Textiles visited the local textile and clothing industry.
During meetings with the Chamber of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Trade in the Bosnian capital, the association contributed its views on Bosnia’s free trade agreements and the extension of full cumulation under the PEM Agreement.
Dobar dan! As part of the Swiss BiH Forum 2026 this June, organised by the Swiss Embassy in Sarajevo, Swiss Textiles visited the local textile and clothing industry.
During meetings with the Chamber of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Trade in the Bosnian capital, the association contributed its views on Bosnia’s free trade agreements and the extension of full cumulation under the PEM Agreement.
Why this is relevant: Various Swiss textile companies have their clothing manufactured in Bosnia and Herzegovina or source workwear and protective clothing from there.
Close ties: Historically, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland have been closely intertwined. During the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995, Switzerland took in around 30,000 refugees.
Even after half of them had returned, the close economic ties remained and continued to develop.
Why this is relevant: Various Swiss textile companies have their clothing manufactured in Bosnia and Herzegovina or source workwear and protective clothing from there.
Close ties: Historically, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland have been closely intertwined. During the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995, Switzerland took in around 30,000 refugees.
Even after half of them had returned, the close economic ties remained and continued to develop.
... and Tissa Textiles (pictured), as well as meetings with the Chamber of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Trade, during which the industry association raised issues relating to trade.
... and Tissa Textiles (pictured), as well as meetings with the Chamber of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Trade, during which the industry association raised issues relating to trade.
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 almost too high again and therefore unattractive to clients (picture: visit to Visoko).
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 almost too high again and therefore unattractive to clients (picture: visit to Visoko).
Merhaba! The Joint Economic Commission with Turkey took place in Istanbul in May. Swiss Textiles was there to raise the sector’s concerns. The Republic is an important market for the Swiss textile and clothing sector: it is one of its five most significant trading partners.
Merhaba! The Joint Economic Commission with Turkey took place in Istanbul in May. Swiss Textiles was there to raise the sector’s concerns. The Republic is an important market for the Swiss textile and clothing sector: it is one of its five most significant trading partners.
Why this is relevant: Supply chains to Europe are stable and well-established. Added to this is geographical proximity: this makes nearshoring – that is, the relocation of tasks, services or production stages closer to the home market – particularly attractive for companies.
The Turkish textile industry itself also offers potential: throughout the entire production cycle, there are a wide range of opportunities for companies to collaborate – from development through to production and further processing.
Swiss Textiles is therefore campaigning for better framework conditions: the focus has been, amongst other things, on PEM cumulation – that is, revised rules of origin – as well as simplified export procedures, such as the ‘Exporters Registry Form’.
Why this is relevant: Supply chains to Europe are stable and well-established. Added to this is geographical proximity: this makes nearshoring – that is, the relocation of tasks, services or production stages closer to the home market – particularly attractive for companies.
The Turkish textile industry itself also offers potential: throughout the entire production cycle, there are a wide range of opportunities for companies to collaborate – from development through to production and further processing.
Swiss Textiles is therefore campaigning for better framework conditions: the focus has been, amongst other things, on PEM cumulation – that is, revised rules of origin – as well as simplified export procedures, such as the ‘Exporters Registry Form’.