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Euratex to host conference on free trade agreements in textile and clothing sector

According to the World Trade Organisation, the revenue from the world textile and clothing exports more than doubled between the year 2000 and 2012. Euratex, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, believes the establishment of new global rules of trade between nations had a great effect on the EU. The Confederation is hosting an international conference in Brussels to evaluate the real impact of the FTAs on the companies and SMEs in textile and clothing sector.

28th May 2014

Knitting Industry
 |  Brussels

Knitwear, Knitted Outerwear, Intimate Apparel, Hosiery/​Socks, Sports/​Activewear

Euratex, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, will be hosting the international textile and clothing conference Free Trade and International Agreements on 5 June 2014 in Brussels.

The conference is aimed to initiate the open debate on Free Trade and International Agreements’ influence on the world markets of the textile and clothing sector, the Confederation reports.

According to Euratex, the establishment of new global rules of trade between nations had an immense influence on the European Union that is the second largest world exporter of textile and clothing products. © Euratex

Alberto Paccanelli, Euratex President, said: “It will be a great privilege for Euratex to welcome distinguished representatives of textile and clothing industry from so many countries. The event will give industry representatives and policy makers a unique opportunity to meet the international partners and learn about their trade priorities and potential concerns.”

Doubled revenue

This year the Confederation celebrates the 20th year anniversary of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

In 2005, the textile and clothing sector became subject to the general rules of the WTO and all restrictions were terminated after more than 40 years of trade with import quotas. According to the WTO, the revenue from the world textile and clothing exports, excluding intra-EU trade and re-exports, more than doubled between the year 2000 (US 240 billion) and 2012 (US 547 billion).

According to Euratex, the establishment of new global rules of trade between nations had an immense influence on the European Union that is the second largest world exporter of textile and clothing products.

Evaluating the impact

The pace of globalisation was also quickened by the multilateral trade negotiations of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the increasing importance of the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

Since the WTO creation, over 400 agreements covering trade in goods or services have been notified. Moreover, the number of ongoing FTAs negotiations launched by the EU has significantly increased. The Confederation believes this is the right moment to evaluate the impact of the current and potential FTAs on the companies and SMEs in textile and clothing sector.

Exchange of views

The international textile and clothing conference will bring together policymakers, experts and stakeholders to start a debate on the impact of global trade policies, particularly FTAs, on textile and clothing sector. About 20 prominent speakers from 20 different countries will come to Brussels to discuss the current challenges and opportunities for the national industries and international brands.

A special session will be devoted to the evaluation of impact of the currently enforced FTAs. The representatives of Turkish, Korean and African national textile and clothing federations and leading companies will ensure a valuable and motivating exchange of views.

The speakers from Japanese, Canadian, Indian, Brazilian and Taiwan textile and apparel industries will contribute to an unprecedented discussion on the impact of the future FTAs on the textile and clothing sector.

www.euratex.eu

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