Twelve instructors and teachers in the field of fashion and sewing from the Kulob Institute of Technology and Innovation Management (KITIM) have completed an intensive two-week tailoring course on patternmaking of men's shirts and trousers, the International Trade Center (ITC) Office in Tajikistan said on August 12. 

This tailoring-centric Training-for-Trainers (ToT) program has reportedly been made possible thanks to the Government of Switzerland through the ITC’s Global Textiles and Clothing Program (GTEX) in close cooperation with the Kulob Institute of Technology and Innovation Management.  This was the first course hosted by the Kulob Garment Training Center, the newest ITC initiative, launched and furnished under GTEX.

The training course covered practical knowledge in pattern drafting and garment construction.  Through hands-on experiences, the participants furthered their knowledge in drafting men’s shirts and pants on different dimensional characteristics and learned more about the sewing techniques involved in their construction.

Mr. Manouchehr Sharifov, the trainer, says: “The knowledge gained in this training will help participants to modernize the process of clothing patternmaking that can be applied to mass and individual production.”

Participants in the class were equipped with necessary skills in taking body measurements and fitting adjustments for dresses.

Mr. Saidmumin Kamolov, ITC National Program Manager, says: “This course provided a unique opportunity for participants to develop their practical skills and creative methods for designing and sewing clothes, thereby allowing for the further transfer of the knowledge and skills they gain to their students, colleagues, and employees through the KITIM’s Garment Training Center, which has just been enhanced by the ITC.”

The Kulob Garment Training Center is the fourth Garment Training Center in Tajikistan established by the International Trade Center jointly with local universities.  These centers in Dushanbe, Khujand, Danghara, and now Kulob meant to serve as knowledge hubs and bridge the industry with educational institutions, supplying the industry with qualified skilled workforce in most efficient and effective way possible.

The GTEX MENATEX program is funded by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Swiss Confederation focusing on five priority countries (Egypt, Morocco, Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan and Tunisia).  The program aims to encourage exports of textiles and clothing from developing countries to promote employment and income generation throughout the value chain.

This year the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan marks 30th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Tajikistan.  Over the last 30 years, around 500 million USD have been allocated in the form of grants to the Government of Tajikistan and the Tajik population.  Within its Cooperation program for Central Asia (2022-2025), Switzerland will focus on supporting economic, social and democratic development, promoting an integrated and regional approach in the complex field of transboundary water management, strengthening economic ties and promoting good governance.