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New Publication: ‘Sourcing Practices In The Apparel Industry’

18 November 2004

Buyer-Seller Meet

Purchasing practices in the global clothing industry are changing due to the removal of quotas, the introduction of new trade agreements and a drive by clothing importers to reduce costs.

This study by Marlon Lezama, Brian Webber and Charles Dagher addresses the implications of these changes for garment manufacturers in Commonwealth developing countries. Their findings indicate that, almost without exception, manufacturers are struggling to lower costs and increase productivity in order to remain competitive.  

The writers interviewed purchasing executives of garment importing countries in North America and senior executives of apparel manufacturing companies in Commonwealth developing countries. 

Since the 1970s, trade in textiles and clothing has been governed by a system of international quotas based on the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA) -- being phased out by 2005, when the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Textiles and Clothing takes full effect. The MFA places quantity restrictions on developing countries' exports to member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The study says this change presents both opportunities and threats for garment-producing countries. While they will now have quota-free access to lucrative markets in the developed world, they will also have to compete in an increasingly unfettered and globalised marketplace.

In many Commonwealth developing countries, garment manufacturing is the largest employer and in some the largest earner of foreign exchange. In 2001, for example, Bangladesh earned 77.2 per cent of its foreign exchange from the export of garments; Mauritius 56.5 per cent; and Sri Lanka 50.8 per cent. 

The book proposes guidelines for enterprises to remain competitive by adding value to their products and strengthening their position in the market. The focus is on North America as the largest single market for the global apparel industry, but reference is also made to the European clothing market. 

Published by the Commonwealth Secretariat 

ISBN: 0-85092-809-5; 205 pages; price: £14.99

How To Order

This title can be bought online at http://www.publications.thecommonwealth.org/. 

A full catalogue of Commonwealth Secretariat publications can be viewed on the website, which provides a secure online buying facility, and orders can also be made through e-mail or by post. Pre-payment is essential. Payment by sterling cheque, international money order, postal order or bank draft must accompany your order. 

Payment should be in sterling, drawn on a UK bank and made out to the Commonwealth Secretariat. If you require the order form as an attachment in Word format please e-mail Rupert Jones-Parry of the Publications Section (see address below). Post and packaging charges should be added to every order in the following way: UK orders: 15 per cent of order value (minimum charge £2.00). Non-UK orders: 25 per cent of order value (minimum charge £3.50). 

Send orders to: Rupert Jones-Parry, Publications Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom. 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6342; Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081; E-mail: r.jones-parry@commonwealth.int

 

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service  Issue 210  17 November 2004