AAFA and CCCT Have Signed MoU

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles and Apparel (CCCT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will facilitate exchange of trade and investment information between the two associations and their respective memberships.

The MoU, signed during a half-day seminar on US-China trade relations in Washington DC, will also create a forum to address issues of concern including: product safety, labeling, retail, and intellectual property.

Rick Helfenbein, chairman of AAFA, said, “The US-China trade relationship will grow in importance in the coming years, with manufactured and design fashion product flowing in both directions. This MOU ensures that we will be at the center of that discussion.”

“Through this MOU, we will amplify our voice and our global reach as we help our members and U.S. policy makers understand what is happening with our industry in China,” noted Juanita D. Duggan, president and CEO of AAFA. “It’s a huge deal.”

“We look forward to strengthening trade and investment ties with the United States through this partnership with AAFA,” said Mr. Jiang Hui, chairman of CCCT.

Currently, China is the top supplier of both apparel and footwear to the US market. China is also a growing market for US-made and branded apparel and footwear.

AAFA represents over 1,000 world famous name brands. The MoU with the CCCT is the 6th such agreement that AAFA has signed with counterpart associations around the world.

CCCT, established in October 1988 as part of China’s Ministry of Commerce, is the leading national trade organization representing exporters and importers of textiles and clothing in China, with a membership of more than 12,000 companies.

CCCT members cover a majority of Chinese traders, manufacturers, and foreign-funded businesses in the textile and clothing industry, representing more than 70% of China's import and export trade in textile and clothing.