Prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Thailand, May-June 2005

28 pages, published in Issue 117, May-June 2005   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

The textile and clothing industry is a major contributor to the Thai economy. It is the largest manufacturing industry and, with more than 1 mn employees, it accounts for around 20% of total manufacturing employment.

It is also the country’s second leading export industry, after electrical goods and equipment, with annual exports worth more than US$6 bn. Garment exports account for almost 55% of this total. The biggest export market is the USA, which takes slightly more than a third of all Thai textile and garment exports, and over half of all garment exports. Next in importance is the EU, followed by Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), East Asia, Japan and the Middle East.

The textile industry is divided into five sub-sectors: fibre production; spinning; woven and knitted fabrics; bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing; and clothing. These industries are linked and form an integrated whole.

The industry is having to face up to the challenge of rising production and labour costs and greater outside competition, particularly from China. Further investment is needed in new machinery and techniques. The government recognises the importance of the industry and is putting measures into place to assist it. The industry is also expected to benefit substantially from a number of free trade agreements, following the elimination of quotas at the end of 2004.

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