Prospects for the Textile and Clothing Industry in Egypt

21 pages, published in Issue 113, September-October 2004   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

The textile and clothing industry in Egypt is a vital contributor to the country?s exports and employment. The sector produces a wide range of fibre-based products, including raw cotton, yarns, fabrics, garments and made-up textiles. International brands such as Gap, Guy Laroche, Pierre Cardin and Tommy Hilfiger are made in Egypt under licence for the highly protected domestic market. The industry benefits from low labour costs (around US$60 a month) and some of the world?s best raw cotton, although much is exported. The public sector dominates?despite privatisation?but plays a lesser role in knitting and garments. State-owned Misr Spinning & Weaving is the biggest textile enterprise in Africa and the Middle East.

The industry faces several challenges. Raw cotton output is falling, productivity is low, especially in the public sector, and major investment is needed in dyeing and finishing. Many firms are inflexible, and find it hard to adapt to changes in technology and markets while foreign investors are deterred by the slow pace of economic reform and by instability in the region. Exporters depend on the EU and USA for 90% of their exports, and fear that sales will be hit by the global elimination of quotas at the end of 2004. But a fall in the Egyptian pound against the US dollar has boosted competitiveness?as should upcoming free trade agreements with the USA and Turkey. Also, the government is striving to upgrade the industry and strengthen its marketing capabilities?with the help of consultants Werner International and funding from the European Commission.

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Six times a year, Textile Outlook International provides up to 200 pages of expert comment and analysis. A subscription provides an overview of the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. It is essential reading for senior executives in the fibre, textile and apparel industries ? and for anyone who is not involved in the industry, but needs to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues.
Reports in Textile Outlook International include:
	country profiles ? providing a comprehensive guide to the textile and clothing industries in a range of countries and regions. The reports include an economic and political profile together with a comprehensive overview of the main issues, plus an outlook for the future.
	company profiles ? giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others. Companies profiled recently include retailers, manufacturers, innovators and sourcing companies involved in textiles and apparel as well as smaller companies which illustrate the opportunities for firms which are interested in selected sourcing locations.
	trends in world textile and apparel trade and production ? taking into account current issues facing the industry ? such as global fibre prices; competition from China and other low cost countries; the elimination of quotas and imposition of selective new ones; relocation of production operations; the impact of economic factors affecting trade; international trade agreements; trade promotion agreements (TPAs); and much more.
	trends in EU and US imports of textiles and clothing ? providing comprehensive statistical data and analysis of the top ten supplying countries to the EU and US markets. These reports are updated each year and contain value and volume data as well as average prices and analyses of trends for up to 15 product categories.
	innovations, technological developments, business development opportunities, individual sector analysis and political implications which affect players in the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. Some of the topics which have been covered in recent reports include: new innovations in the textile and clothing industry, such as environmentally friendly textiles, plant based fibres, and developments in textile colorants; innovations in textile machinery; and overviews of the European swimwear, hosiery and lingerie markets.
So whether you are involved in fibres, textiles or clothing ? in manufacturing, spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, import/export, retailing ? or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance, a subscription to Textile Outlook International will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry.
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