A New World Map in Textiles and Clothing

A New World Map in Textiles and Clothing

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Authors:
OECD
Publication Date :
08 Dec 2004
Pages :
234
ISBN :
9789264018556 (PDF) ; 9789264018532 (print)
DOI :
10.1787/9789264018556-en

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In light of the elimination of quantitative import restrictions under the WTO at the end of 2004, A New World Map in Textiles and Clothing identifies the most recent market developments throughout the entire supply chain, from natural fibres to retail distribution. It outlines the policy and regulatory challenges in the fields of trade, labour adjustment, technology and innovation, and suggests a policy framework to help deal effectively with such changes as well as to capitalise on the trade opportunities that are being created through improved market access.

"A highly useful contribution to the debate on policy challenges in textiles and clothing, the book stands out from the others in recognising the influence that trade policy measures continue to exert on investment and production decisions, and in providing a synthesis of key market developments and policy issues."

Munir Ahmad, Executive Director, International Textiles and Clothing Bureau

"Policy makers in all textile and clothing trading countries would be wise to heed the sound advice proffered in this comprehensive and thorough, fact-based assessment."

Laura Baughman, President, Trade Partnership Worldwide, LLC.

"A must read for anybody interested in the future of textiles and clothing around the world. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the expected adjustment process in usefully underscoring the role of technology and innovation and the growing importance of the business facilitation agenda."

Carlos A. Primo Braga, Senior Adviser, International Trade Department, The World Bank

Also available in: French

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  • Mark
  • Acronyms
  • Executive Summary
    Rules governing world trade in textiles and clothing will change drastically when new regulation is enforced at the end of 2004. Countries will no longer be able to protect their own industries by restricting the quantity of textile and clothing products being imported. The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) "Agreement on Textiles and Clothing" (ATC)...
  • Adjustment Challenges in Textiles and Clothing
    Considerable worldwide restructuring is anticipated following the termination of quantitative restrictions at the end of 2004, as agreed under the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC). This chapter summarises the key adjustment challenges facing these industries with a view to assist governments in establishing a coherent policy...
  • Market Developments and Trade Policies
    This chapter reviews recent market developments in production, consumption and trade in textiles and clothing and assesses the trade policy framework in the post-ATC trading environment. It examines: the pattern of the international fragmentation of the supply chain; the role of large retail groups in production decisions; the productivity gap between...
  • Trade-Related Labour Adjustment Policies
    Although trade liberalisation yields economy-wide benefits, the opening of markets to international competition puts pressure on labour markets and results in both temporary and permanent hardships for displaced workers. This chapter outlines the main characteristics of displaced workers in the textile and clothing industries in OECD...
  • Technology and Innovation
    This chapter focuses on recent world trends in applied technology in the textile and clothing industries and reviews innovation and technology diffusion approaches in OECD countries, including production and trade of TCM. It summarises recent technological changes in the transformation stages of textiles into final clothing products, outlining...
  • Business Facilitation
    Exporting countries seeking to maintain an export-led development strategy in textiles and clothing have to address their competitive weaknesses due to: inefficient domestic regulatory regimes; obsolete infrastructure in essential business services; cumbersome customs procedures; and other distorted market structures. The chapter highlights the...
  • Annex A Literature Review of Quantitative Studies
    A considerable body of analysis by a number of analysts at national and international institutions aims at quantifying the economic and trade effects of the liberalisation of the textile and clothing markets. Different tools and approaches have been used to evaluate the impact of textile trade reforms at the regional or global level. Given the economic...
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