Fashion industries promoted as new source of economic growth for LDCs

By Ryan Dicovitsky

03 February 2010 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: Near the end of January, a conference was held in Geneva which promoted the viability of often-maligned fashion industries as a potential source of economic growth for the world’s economically developing countries. Hosted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the “Best Use of Nature” conference also aimed to promote fashion practices that don’t place wild animals and plants at the risk of being harmed, or worse, extinction.

The fashion industries of developing nations in Africa and elsewhere could help boost economic development. (Photo credit: South African Tourism.)

The conference was of particular importance considering the ongoing international commitment to combat poverty and the UN-sponsored designation of 2010 as the “International Year of Biodiversity,” which is meant to place a strong international focus on the protection of biological wildlife. The fashion industry has consistently been accused of injustices against nature, ranging from animal testing to degradation of the environment. However, the UNCTAD conference gathered a wide array of experts to comment on the potential benefits fashion industries could bring to both the developing world and nature.

Carolina Quintana, an official with the UNCTAD Creative Economy and Industries Programme, explained to MediaGlobal how fashion industries could economically benefit the developing world, stating “marketing fashion products, including not only clothes but cosmetics and perfumes, can lead to significant employment gains in developing countries, and frequently involves small businesses.”

Particularly in developing countries, small businesses aren’t as numerous as in industrialized countries, and their absence often contributes to lackluster economic performance. With more small companies being able to enter into and benefit from different fashion industries, individuals would have better access to jobs and be able to contribute to a boost in their local and national economies.

Despite the rich cultural fashions of developing countries, poorer nations have yet to make serious inroads to the international fashion sector, especially in Africa. Quintana pointed out that the fashion world has traditionally drawn on the artistic styles of Africa, and frequently benefited from materials originating in Africa. Harkening back to the developing world’s colonial past, African resources such as leather and cotton are critical to the successful production of new fashion items. But, Quintana emphasized, “It was rare that the communities from where inspirations and inputs were derived benefited from the successes of the world of fashion.”

With the conference in Geneva and other initiatives, UNCTAD is hoping to change that disparate reality. The conference speakers described specific measures that are being taken to the boost fashion in the developing world, and proposed further actions that could be taken to boost development. The conference concluded with other discussions on how to implement environmentally friendly practices, as well as with an “EcoChic” fashion show featuring environmentally sustainable fashion products.

As far as steps that could still be taken to boost fashion industries and growth in the developing world, both the private and public sectors play a critical role. The first step, however, is to raise the consciousness of the all stakeholders involved in development. Quintana said via email that there is a need to “articulate the concept of ‘creative economy’ to sensitize government, private sector, and civil society about the economic, social, and development impact of these industries in terms of job creation, social inclusion, income generation for exports, etcetera.”

On a governmental level, UNCTAD suggested that leaders could help create an environment that fashion industries could thrive in. By creating policies that give incentives to investors to support business owners and resource suppliers, officials in the developing world could pave the way for thriving fashion industries that help to lift their people out of poverty.

Even a greater emphasis, however, should be placed on the private fashion sector. Fashion industry officials should begin to consider regrouping their industries so that more mass production occurs in the country or continent from where materials originate (such as in Africa). In the new production environment, the use of natural materials would make products cheaper for locals to buy.

Ultimately, the success of fashion in the developing world will depend on how the fashion community reacts to these proposals. In order for products to remain profitable, outlets will need to be made available for producers to showcase their products, especially on the international fashion show level. If producers from developing countries were given a spotlight, they would have a better chance of making their products known, subsequently increasing sales and boosting local economies.

It’s still unclear whether these actions will occur, and a strong international dedication is needed to make emerging fashion industries a reality. However, as Quintana highlights, it makes sense to “unleash the great potential for the creation and marketing of creative products.”