Fair trade used to promote quality craftwork in Mali

Mali is the leading cotton producer in West Africa. Cotton represents 10% of the country's GDP, 63% of its agricultural exports and 30% of its total exports (figures from FAOSTAT 2006). However, even if Mali is the leading cotton producer in West Africa, it isn't the one getting the highest added value since less than 1% of the cotton produced in Mali is processed locally as almost all of it is exported.

In view of this situation, ami&co has decided to start with the creation of a handmade organic fair trade textile sector.
ami&co is calling on expert craftspeople to manufacture products conceived by designers coming from Africa and elsewhere. These exchanges between designers and craftspeople, traditional techniques and modern ones, while respecting people and the environment lead to original, contemporary and quality items.

"To understand globalisation, that from the past and that from today, there is no better way than examining a piece of material, most probably because it is only made of thread with the movement of the shuttles".

Erik Orsenna, Voyage au pays du coton - Petit précis de mondialisation, 2007, Livre de Poche.

ami&co's objective is to contribute to the promotion of Malian cotton by creating an organic fair trade textile sector. The traditional fabric and clothing sector (spinning, dyeing, fabric manufacture, selling, etc.) is the second biggest employer in West Africa after agriculture. Between 65 and 70 % of Malian craftspeople work in the traditional textile sector. ami&co works with the best craftspeople in Mali to bring you high quality products, with perfect finishing and a contemporary design.

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