From 20 – 23rd February Armenian brand “5900BC” participates in one of the leading international fashion exhibitions in Eastern Europe – the Collection Premiere Moscow (CPM).

The brand “5900BC” was created as part of the UNIDO project “Improving competitiveness of export-oriented industries in Armenia through modernization and market access”, launched in September 2014. Implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments of the Republic of Armenia and Development Foundation of Armenia, the project aims to maintain and increase local textile and clothing enterprises’ domestic market share and contribute to Armenia’s integration into regional and international markets. In particular, the project aims at building local capacity to support the development and modernization of SMEs and to position Armenian products as high-end designer goods. Under the project, UNIDO is upgrading technical capacities in innovative fashion design and modeling, supporting exports and promoting business networking and partnerships between textile producers and designers of ready-to-wear clothing. Eight Armenian enterprises have come together under one brand “5900BC” with UNIDO support to design and produce fashion collections that culminated in joint garment collections demonstrated at various national, regional and international platforms.

On February 14 the presentation of the second Phase of UNIDO Project “Improving Competitiveness of Export-Oriented Industries in Armenia through Modernization and Market Access” kicked off.

The memorandum was signed by Minister of Economic Development and Investments of the Republic of Armenia Suren Karayan and by Anahit Simonyan, UNIDO Country Representative.

Within the framework of the project, UNIDO provides technical assistance to Armenia’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and clothing sector by helping them upgrade productivity and quality, develop innovative fashion design and modelling, and preparing offers for potential buyers. By doing so, UNIDO aims to increase SMEs’ share in the domestic textile and clothing market, and position their products as high-end goods, thereby contributing to the country’s integration into regional and international markets.

Participation in CPM exhibition in previous years has yielded tangible results for “5900BC”, and this year there is again a successful outcome.

The brand’s new collection has attracted a lot of interest from leading Russian brands and fashion houses. Following 5900BC’s participation in previous CPM exhibition’s numerous producers visited the production sites in Armenia to examine the production capacities and discuss opportunities for cooperation. One of the largest retail chains in Russia "Dimanche” signed a contract with the company.