| Author (Person) | Chapman, Peter |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.9, No.35, 23.10.03, p32 |
| Publication Date | 23/10/2003 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Peter Chapman Date: 23/10/03 THE EU's textile and fashion industry must shape up if it is to survive the threat of extra competition from abroad in 2005, European commissioners will warn next week. The call from Erkki Liikanen (enterprise) and Pascal Lamy (trade) comes as the EU prepares to ditch quotas that restrict the imports of textiles from countries such as China, Pakistan, India and Egypt. The pair will urge the €200-billion sector, which employs 200 million EU citizens in 177 thousand firms, to continue to shift up-market in order to offset the expected deluge of imports from countries with cheaper labour costs. Liikanen will encourage firms to spend more on research and development and innovation to help the push towards high-value added niches of the market. At the same time he will invite them to take part in EU-level efforts, such as the 6th framework R&D programme. Meanwhile, Lamy will pledge to push for greater market access for EU producers as part of the current Doha round of trade liberalization talks. Liikanen's spokesman Per Haugaard said: "The industry has had difficulties and has had to restructure and reinvent itself to make itself competitive. . . But more needs to be done, in view of 2005." |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry |
