On September 16-20, 2019, in coordination with the University of Missouri, CLDP and USTR organized a series of consultations for a Salvadoran delegation in St. Louis, Columbia, and Kansas City, Missouri.

Salvadoran textile and apparel producers of all sizes struggle with effective design and marketing, which affects their ability to create new business opportunities with U.S. customers. These struggles are further intensified by lack of effective higher education programs in design and marketing in El Salvador. Similarly, apprentice and smaller-scale U.S. designers/entrepreneurs often face challenges finding companies to produce small runs or custom products.

Recognizing the mutual benefits of marrying these opportunities, CLDP and USTR brought together a Salvadoran delegation with U.S. fashion SMEs and educators, to foster a dialogue exploring trade and education opportunities. The Salvadoran delegation was comprised of small- and medium-sized textiles and apparel producers, academics from the Catholic University of El Salvador, and representatives of HanesBrand’s Central America division. The delegates met with several U.S. apparel companies to discuss their supply chains and sourcing issues, as well as the St. Louis Fashion Fund, a non-profit organization providing support to fashion startups and independent designers. The delegation also visited Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri at Columbia to learn about their fashion design and textiles and apparel management programs, respectively. The visit concluded in Kansas City, where the delegation attended a Kansas City Fashion Week runway show.

As a result of these consultations, the Salvadoran delegation gained an in-depth understanding of how U.S. fashion SMEs are trained and operate their businesses, what challenges they face, and how both parties can collaborate on robust business opportunities. The consultations also contributed to the program’s sustainability through educational exchange opportunities between the participants. These consultations form part of CLDP and USTR’s three-year capacity-building program to improve regional prosperity by fostering human and institutional capacity to support and strengthen the textile and apparel industry and enhance export opportunities along the full US–CAFTA-DR supply chain.