The year 2013 was a consolidation year not only for the textile industry, which faced quite adverse and uncertain market conditions, but also for EURATEX who continued to implement the new strategy aimed at profiling the industry, says EURATEX president Alberto Paccanelli in his introduction to the Annual Report 2013, released by the European Apparel and Textile Confederation.
"The most visible effect of this redeployment was the launch at the end of May of the new logo and colours of EURATEX as well as the live start of the new website that should become the platform serving the industry together with the network set up by its members. The consolidation of EURATEX was also proven by the ability to find a joint position on the always controversial "origin" issue," says Mr. Paccanelli.
For the fourth year in a row European textile and apparel companies increased their exports across the world to service the growing needs of fast growing consumer markets, thus exceeding the € 42 billion threshold, the highest level since the start of this century, says the annual report.
In the report, Mr. Paccanelli points out that the textiles and clothing industry continues to be used as an "easy" bargaining political chip without consideration of the economic impact of such decisions on all or some of the European industrialists facing imbalanced competition on the European market. He gives the example of Pakistan, which though being a dominant supplier of the EU market, benefitted from the provisions of two political decisions: the waiver for Pakistan until the end of 2013 and the GSP Plus and duty-free treatment status from the 1st January 2014.
"Whether we like it or not, textile and clothing related issues always remain a sensitive area for third country partners. This may explain the slow progress in a number of ongoing negotiations such as with Canada, India, Mercosul, etc. due to entrenched positions," says Mr. Paccanelli.
However, EURATEX must prioritise the negotiations with Japan and United States of America—two key trade partners. Reciprocity, symmetry and market-oriented solutions should be the cornerstone of the dialogue to help reduce barriers to trade that hamper both partners' benefits, he adds.
