The ceremony, presided over by His Excellency President of the Council of Togo Faure Gnassingbé, marks a transformative milestone for both the company and West Africa's textile industry.
This historic inauguration represents Star Garments' first manufacturing expansion outside of Sri Lanka, positioning Togo as a strategic gateway for the company's global growth and the development of West Africa as a new hub for apparel manufacturing.
Sri Lanka will continue serving as the company's service center, with operations expanding to support Star’s integrated global manufacturing network.
The 3.7-hectare facility will create 2,000 direct employment opportunities for Togolese nationals, with over 60 percent of positions designated for women.
This significant job creation initiative extends beyond immediate employment, with projections indicating up to 4,520 direct and indirect jobs by 2030, fundamentally transforming the local economic landscape.
"This is more than just a factory. It represents a long-term commitment—Komar's commitment to the people of Togo—for jobs, training, and elevating global production standards based on dignity and excellence.
The choice of Togo is no coincidence.
We chose this country because we see a rising nation, a government focused on economic stability, infrastructure development, and investment appeal," said Charlie Komar, CEO of Charles Komar & Sons.
The facility's comprehensive training programs will equip Togolese workers with world-class manufacturing skills, creating a skilled workforce that enhances the country's industrial capacity.
These initiatives align with Togo's national development objectives while establishing sustainable career pathways for local talent.
Minister of Investment Promotion Manuella Santos praised the inauguration, stating:
"Backed by over 40 years of textile expertise, Star Garments chose Togo as its first location outside Sri Lanka—an important signal for our country and a strong vote of confidence in our industrial vision."
At full operational capacity, the facility can produce fifty thousand garments daily, specializing in nightwear, loungewear, and layered garments serving international markets.
The facility's focus on export-oriented production will generate significant foreign exchange earnings for Togo while establishing the country as a competitive player in the global textile market.
True to Star Garments' position as the only group of apparel companies in Sri Lanka to be certified as carbon neutral across all its processes, the Togo facility too will operate under strict environmental standards and pursue LEED certification, serving as a model for sustainable manufacturing practices across West Africa.
Earlier this year, Star Garments Group was bestowed with the Gold Award for Textile and Garment Sector under the Extra-Large Category at the NCE Export Awards 2024 in Sri Lanka.