textile industry

Serbia’s Textile Sector Seeks New Model Beyond Low-Cost Manufacturing

Serbia’s textile, clothing, leather and footwear industry has declined from a major industrial sector of the former Yugoslav economy into a smaller export-oriented manufacturing base employing fewer than 50,000 people. The sector now faces increasing pressure from rising labour costs, shortages of skilled workers and stricter European requirements for production transparency. During the 1980s, more than 250,000 people worked in Serbia’s textile and clothing industry. Large industrial companies including Yumco in Vranje, Niteks in Niš, Prvi maj in Pirot, Leteks…