This paper examines the impact of two crises on the global apparel value chain: the World Trade Organization phase-out of the quota system for textiles and apparel in 2005, which provided access for many poor and small export-oriented economies to the markets of industrialized countries, and the...

In light of the elimination of quantitative import restrictions under the WTO at the end of 2004, A New World Map in Textiles and Clothing identifies the most recent market developments throughout the entire supply chain, from natural fibres to retail distribution. It outlines the policy and...

The end of the MFA was followed by rising apparel exports, falling prices, and a reallocation of production and employment between countries. There were also significant changes within countries. The first main finding of this report is that export and employment patterns after the MFA/ATC did...

1. Introduction -- 2. The Multi Fibre Arrangement -- 3. The political economy of trade liberalization in textiles and clothing -- 4. The "winners" and "losers" of trade liberalization in textiles and clothing -- 5. The EU, China and textiles diplomacy under the WTO -- 6. The WTO Agreement on...