The Fashion Commission of Saudi Arabia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chalhoub Group — aka the Fitra International Saudi Limited — to explore opportunities and enhance cooperation between the two parties, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The agreement was signed in the presence of Vice-Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, who is also Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fashion Commission; CEO of the Fashion Commission Burak Cakmak; and Managing Director at Chalhoub Group in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Bachar Sabbagh.
The MoU reportedly sets out a framework for the creation of leadership roles furthering nationalization in the fashion retail sector, securing commercial spaces for the display of work by Saudi designers, and providing training courses in the field of fashion.
The framework also outlines methods of knowledge exchange of market studies, contributing to the development of work carried out by both parties.
تأتي مذكرة التفاهم بين #هيئة_الأزياء ومجموعة شلهوب متمثلة بشركة فترا العالمية السعودية المحدودة، تماشياً مع أهداف هيئة الأزياء بتعزيز العمل المشترك مع المنتمين لقطاع الأزياء في المملكة وترويج ثقافة الأزياء محلياً ودولياً. pic.twitter.com/JXZSyrv6gS
— هيئة الأزياء (@FashionMOC) April 19, 2022
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The agreement is said to align with the objectives of the Fashion Commission to enhance collaboration within the fashion sector and to spearhead partnerships with institutions, entities and individuals around the world to empower and bolster investment in the Saudi fashion sector, develop its talents, and promote the Kingdom’s fashion culture locally and internationally.
Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, said: “Through this agreement, we will cooperate with the Chalhoub Group to provide information on the Saudi market to put it among the hands of interested and stakeholders to build projects based on reliable numbers to enhance and develop their business, stressing that the commission works hand in hand with private sector organizations to benefit the fashion sector at various levels and directions.”
For his part, Patrick Chalhoub, President of Chalhoub Group, was quoted by the Spa as saying: “This partnership further reiterates our commitment to play a role in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and drive forward the luxury retail sector by supporting local employment, homegrown talent and generate insights on the market and consumer.”