The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) welcomed the announcement by the Obama Administration that it will begin the process of lifting sanctions against Burma (also known as Myanmar), including a ban on U.S. imports from that country.
“The American Apparel & Footwear Association welcomes the democratic reforms that have occurred in Burma (or Myanmar) over the past year, and we look forward to the resumption of full trade relations grounded in the rule of law and a predictable business and investment climate,” said AAFA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “We also look forward to working with Burmese stakeholders to ensure that apparel and footwear produced in Burma is done so under socially responsible conditions, where workers are afforded opportunities and are treated with fairness and respect.”
AAFA was the first business organization to call for a complete ban on all U.S. imports from Burma in 2003 in response to the egregious human rights abuses imposed by the former military junta which infringed on citizens’ privacy and restricted freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion, and movement. Since then, AAFA has been a strong advocate for renewal of the import ban.