EURATEX to host global textile & clothing conference

21 May '14

3 min read

EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, is honoured to host 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.

This year we celebrate the 20th year anniversary of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (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 forty 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 (240 billion USD) and 2012 (547 billion USD)1. 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.

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. 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.

For this reason, 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 across the world 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 high-level 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.

Speaking on the occasion, EURATEX President Mr. Alberto Paccanelli 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 andpolicy makers a unique opportunity to meet the international partners and learn about their trade priorities and potential concerns.”

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