The Algerian-Turkish textile complex, Tayal, located in Relizane, is preparing to export its “Made in Algeria” products to France from the end of July 2024.
“We will export, at the end of next July, the first Made in Algeria product to France on behalf of a French brand,” said Tarik Elkerbiçer, CEO of Tayal, in a statement to the daily Horizons, on the occasion of his participation in the TexStyle Expo trade fair, which was held from June 10 to 12 at the Palais des Expositions in Algiers.
In 2023, Tayal achieved a turnover of 65 million euros, including 10 million from exports. According to its CEO, the textile complex now aims to develop its markets in the Maghreb, the Middle East, but also on the African continent.
“After the Covid-19 health crisis, we immediately started prospecting global markets. We started with Tunisia, Egypt, and also Europe. Today, we have managed to bring back seven or eight international brands with which we are certified as a supplier,” said the CEO of the textile complex.
Thus, he said, for 2024-2025, “we are working to strengthen our exports. We expect a lot from the African Continental Free Trade Area, to meet the needs of the African continent. We also aim to develop the market in the Arab zone, thanks to the free trade agreement,” he said.
The gigantic complex currently employs more than 3,000 people. It has a vertically integrated production chain, from cotton yarn to finished garment, and devotes 70% of its products to export. The Algerian-Turkish joint venture between the Turkish company Intertay and the state-owned companies C&H, Texalg, and Madar Holding was created in 2020, with an investment of more than $870 million.
Tayal Complex manufactures and markets yarns, denim (used for making jeans) and non-denim fabrics, knitted fabrics, and finished products. “For yarn, we work with several public and private companies. We are trying to control the denim fabric sector, which is very weak in Algeria. For non-denim fabrics, we work with the public sector, the army, and others,” Tarik Elkerbiçer detailed.
For finished products, “we work in particular with brands like Decathlon, the French specialist in sports clothing, but also with local brands that have their stores,” adds the CEO of Tayal, while noting, however, some difficulties in sourcing raw materials, cotton.
“The basis of textiles is cotton. Unfortunately, it is not grown in Algeria. But there are business projects that are trying to launch cotton cultivation in the South, especially since Algeria produced very good quality cotton until the 1970s,” explained the CEO of the textile complex.
And to specify that for the moment, “we import most of the raw materials that we cannot find locally, such as certain specific chemical products. But some materials are still available in Algeria.”
