Thailand frames development plan for garment sector
05 Apr '12
2 min read
The Thailand Textile Institute has framed a policy for development of the country's garment and textile sector during 2012-16 period.
The plan emphasizes adoption of green production methods, improving skills of workers, and introduction of latest technology in Thai textile and garment units.
It stresses on reducing costs of production, while minimizing pollution and complying with Europe's eco-labels.
The aim of the plan is to enhance position of Thailand as the leading textile and apparel design and trade centre in the ASEAN region during the next five years.
The objective of the plan is to increase the growth rate of the Thai textile and clothing industry to 8 percent by the end of the plan period.
In 2011, Thailand exported textile and garment items worth US$ 8.26 billion, registering a rise of 7.5 percent year-on-year. Of this amount, US$ 1.55 billion worth of exports were destined to the ASEAN market, up by 13.5 percent year-on-year.
Thailand's apparel and textile exports to the EU were worth US$ 1.45 billion last year, showing an increase of 2.3 percent year-on-year, while exports to the US were valued at US$ 1.4 billion, posting a growth of 7.8 percent y-o-y.
Last year, Thailand's textile and clothing item exports to Japan and China were valued at US$ 728 million and US$ 460 million, up 36.6 percent y-o-y and 17.7 percent y-o-y, respectively.