Vlisco takes aim at counterfeit textile products; collaborates with DRC

During an official meeting on 15 June 2011, an agreement was signed between the Vlisco Group and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aimed at closer collaboration in combating fraud in terms of counterfeit textile products, designs and models made by the Vlisco Group.

The meeting was attended by members of the DRC government, including the Ministers of Finance, Industry and Small and Medium-sized Businesses, Justice, Economy and the Provinces, who applauded and encouraged this initiative and appealed to other Congolese companies to follow this good example and combat forgery, thereby protecting the government, economy and consumers of the country. The Dutch Ambassador in the DRC, Robert van Embden, was also present at the signing ceremony.

“This is an important step for the Vlisco Group in achieving its growth ambitions in the region. It is very significant that for the first time in history a large international company signs such an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo” said Hans Ouwendijk, CEO of the Vlisco Group after signing the agreement.

Since the takeover of the Vlisco Group by Actis in 2010, the company has been pursuing ambitious expansion and development targets. Over the next few years, the Vlisco Group aims to further strengthen its presence in Africa, primarily in Nigeria and the DRC, in order to meet the growing needs of its customers.

Vlisco designs are well-known and coveted worldwide and are developed based on the perfectionism, creativity and tradition of the brand. Congolese consumers who unknowingly purchase imitation products that are not produced based on Vlisco quality standards are victims of fraud and this fraud leads to enormous losses for both the company and the Congolese government.

The DGDA (Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises, Directorate-General of Customs and Excise) in Kinshasa (DRC), the local Vlisco Congo organisation, and the Vlisco Group in the Netherlands have together developed a detailed plan to effectively combat fraud with and the counterfeiting of textile products and designs.

source: Vlisco Brand communications

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