The EU and Japan textile and clothing industries met in Brussels recently to exchange views about their respective industries’ status, their relationships and the political conclusions of the EPA between Japan and Europe. During that meeting, both Euratex and JTF reiterated their support to the agreement reached that should increase the opportunities for their companies to grab market openings with their innovations.

Wholeheartedly welcoming the political agreement on EPA, both associations urged their respective authorities to implement as soon as possible the agreement for the benefit of their companies.

“Since the start of the discussions, the EU and Japanese textile and clothing industries worked together on tariffs and rules to ensure that the negotiators deliver the right framework for our products. Though we still need to see the details of the text of the agreement, we are confident that such ambitious and industry driven deal will allow our companies to reap rapidly the benefits of this agreement,” said Euratex president Klaus Huneke.

Indeed, both industries did issue two joint statements in support of those negotiations (November 2013 and November 2016) providing suggestions of possible area of agreement for their products both for tariffs and rules of origin. Both industries are greeting their authorities for having taken duly into account their proposals made during the negotiations to reach an agreement that should foster the textile and clothing bilateral relations.

JTF president Masanao Kambara concluded that “The immediate abolishment of customs duties with full reciprocity and no exceptions as well as the rules of origin prone to promote industrial relations should be concluded and put into effect as soon as possible in order to allow this future-oriented agreement to deliver the expected benefits to our companies.” (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India