The clothing sector has traditionally been a gateway to export diversification and industrial development for low-income countries (LICs) due to its low fix costs, relatively simple technology, and labor-intensive nature. It has served to absorb large numbers of unskilled, and mostly female, workers and build capital and know-how for more technologically advanced activities within and across sectors. But the environment for global clothing trade has changed significantly which may condition the role the sector can play in promoting export diversification and industrial development in LICs today. Main drivers have been the rise of global buyers and their global sourcing strategies, the phase out of quotas in the Multi-Fiber Arrangement (MFA), and, more recently, the global economic crisis. In the context of these changes, this study analyzes how the clothing sector can still provide a gateway to export diversification and industrial development for LICs today. The key objectives of this study are to assess main developments in the global clothing sector associated with the Multi-Fiber Arrangement (MFA) phase out, global buyers and their sourcing strategies, and the global economic crisis; analyze challenges that LICs are facing in the post-quota and post-crisis world in entering and upgrading within global clothing value chains; and identify policy recommendations to increase the competitiveness of LIC clothing exporters as well as to further their integration into and improve their positions within global clothing value chains. For the study interviews with buyers in the US, the EU and South Africa as well as case studies in Sub-Saharan African LICs (Kenya, Lesotho and Swaziland), Cambodia and Bangladesh were conducted. The study finds that global consolidation in the clothing sector has increased entry barriers at the country and firm level. This has created new challenges to LIC suppliers as low labor costs and preferential market access are not enough to be competitive in the clothing sector today. Suppliers with broad capabilities have been able to develop strategic relationships with global buyers. Marginal or new suppliers are entering the global value chains through intermediaries, but face limited upgrading opportunities. FDI plays an important role in integrated LICs into global clothing value chains, yet it needs to be used in a way that promotes and upgrades local clothing industries. Overall, the clothing sector still provides opportunities for export diversification and industrial development. However, this requires pro-active policies to increase the competitiveness and local embeddedness of LIC clothing exporters.

The Economic Partnership Agreements between the European Union and the Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries have drastically restructured Europe’s trade architecture towards the third world. This volume examines the consequences of EPAs for development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Starting from the observation that the establishment of free trade as such will substantially impact upon economic development, the different contributions focus on the potential contribution of non-traditional aspects of EPAs. More specifically, the authors analyze the role of Aid for Trade schemes, regulatory integration issues and broader foreign policy considerations. How can these non-market access aspects stimulate development in Africa, and how have they been addressed in the EPAs? In short, this brings us to the question whether the ‘light version EPAs’ as they currently stand are a missed chance or a blessing in disguise?

Haiti Business Law Handbook Volume 1 Strategic Information and Basic Laws

Abstract: Trade can be a key driver of growth for African countries, as it has been for those countries, particularly in East Asia, that have experienced high and sustained rates of growth. Economic partnership agreements with the European Union could be instrumental in a competitiveness framework, but to do so they would have to be designed carefully in a way that supports integration into the global economy and is consistent with national development strategies. Interim agreements have focused on reciprocal tariff removal and less restrictive rules of origin. To be fully effective, economic partnership agreements will have to address constraints to regional integration, including both tariff and non-tariff barriers; improve trade facilitation; and define appropriate most favored nation services liberalization. At the same time, African countries will need to reduce external tariff peak barriers on a most favored nation basis to ensure that when preferences for the European Union are implemented after transitional periods, they do not lead to substantial losses from trade diversion. This entails an ambitious agenda of policy reform that must be backed up by development assistance in the form of "aid for trade."