Prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Thailand, April 2010

43 pages, published in Issue 144, April 2010   Report price: Euro 690.00; US$ 910.00

The textile and clothing industry in Thailand encompasses a broad range of manufacturing activities and process stages, unlike the industries in many other Asian countries. It provides jobs for over 1 mn people, making it the largest employer in Thailand?s manufacturing sector. Furthermore, its success in export markets has made it a significant earner of foreign exchange. Thailand is also a major importer of textiles and clothing?as well as being a major exporter?and in 2009 it bought US$2.9 bn worth of these items from the rest of the world.

The textile and clothing industry has benefited significantly over the years from government policies designed to encourage its development, and from the government?s liberal stance on trade and foreign investment. However, it has also faced a number of challenges, including rising labour costs, declining productivity, and the global elimination of quotas?which exposed it to the full forces of international competition. More recently, it has been adversely affected by the global economic downturn?and in 2009 it suffered from an 11% fall in exports. Also, investors have been concerned about social and political instability and matters became even more serious in April 2010 when the government declared a state of emergency in response to a rising tide of street protestors. Internationally, there is the ever present threat of competition from other Asian producers, notably China. Although the quality of production in Thailand is considered to be good, production costs are higher than in many competing countries.

More positively, there are hopes that the decline in exports will be reversed in 2010 as demand picks up, not least in the key Western markets of the USA and the EU. Also, closer links are being forged with Japan under the terms of the ?Textile and Apparel Development for Export to Japan under JTEPA Framework? initiative, and this holds the promise of access to the latest technology and enhanced marketing opportunities. Looking forward, although competition from lower cost countries looks set to intensify, the industry has the potential to become a significant and growing supplier of high added value products to international brands and major global retailing groups.

Prospects for the Textile and Clothing Industry in Thailand

• Summary
• Importance of the Textile and Clothing Industry to the Economy of Thailand
• Development of the Textile and Clothing Industry in Thailand
• Thailand: Geographical, Political and Economic Profile
• Thailand: Infrastructure
• Thailand: Human Resources
• Size and Structure of the Textile and Clothing Industry in Thailand
• Thailand: Fibre Production and Consumption by the Textile Industry
• Thailand: Textile and Clothing Production and Consumption
• Production Technology and Machinery in Thailand?s Textile and Clothing Industry
• Thailand?s Textile and Clothing Exports
• Thailand?s Textile and Clothing Imports
• Textiles and Clothing in Thailand: Government Policies and Investment Incentives
• Textiles and Clothing in Thailand: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

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• Trends in US textile and clothing imports, April 2010, (April 2010)
• Prospects for the Textile and Garment Industry in Pakistan, (November 2009)
• Trade and trade policy: the US clothing import market, 2nd quarter 2009, (2nd Quarter 2009)
• Prospects for the Textile and Garment Industry in China, (June 2009)
• Prospects for the textile and garment industry in Hong Kong, (4th Quarter 2008)
• Prospects for the Textile and Garment Industry in Bangladesh, (May-June 2008)

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.
Textile Outlook International is available on subscription ? either in printed format only, or in printed and electronic format. If you choose the printed only option, you will receive 6 printed publications a year, containing a total of 30 reports plus editorials written by Robin Anson, our editorial director and in-house industry expert.
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