Same cultural roots to make exports to China a hit

14 Sep '10

2 min read

Being well-known as a producer of low-cost clothing exporter throughout the world, Taiwan is striving to seek opportunities in the Chinese mainland market and also find a place on the fashion stage in Asia.

While the ability of some designers in Taiwan has been recognized by international fashion circles, but Taiwan's government thinks that truly Taiwanese designers are few.

But this situation may soon change, the trade agreement signed between Taiwan and China will further open mainland market and reduce tariffs for Taiwan's designers, meanwhile it will provide more protection against copies of Taiwanese designers.

The agreement achieved success under overall efforts from Taiwan's President Ma Ying-Jeou, it is also done to reduce tensions and establish good cooperation and relations with
China.

Deputy Economy Minister Huang Chung-Chiu said the tariff reduction is good news for the island's fashion industry, but Taiwan needs to shift to market innovation from mass production.

Taiwan once was the leading force in world textile production, but now its ranking has slipped to No-6, as China has cheaper labor, due to which many large Taiwanese companies have shifted base to the mainland.

Taiwan's textile exports amounted to US $9.4 billion in 2009, a drop of 40 percent, when compared with its peak in 1997. The mainland is Taiwan's largest market, exports to the mainland accounted for 22 percent of Taiwan's total exports in 2009.

China's original clothing import tariff is 17 percent, but now China has reduced tariffs for Taiwanese garment manufacturers, so that they can more easily enter the Mainland market.

Taiwanese designers are of the opinion that, designs created by Taiwan designers will attract more Chinese mainland consumers than those of foreign designers, because of the same cultural roots.

Most of the textile and apparel producer's in Taiwan have evinced great interest in the mainland market, so China, is expected to become the most important clothing market for the Taiwan clothing industry in the future.

Fibre2fashion News Desk

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