High Level Group Report and First Recommendations June 2004
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AN OVERALL STRATEGY
The textiles and clothing industry of the EU is the world’s largest textile exporter and ranks second in clothing exports. However, depressed internal demand and rising imports, coupled with an inability to export to many closed external markets make it incumbent upon the authorities in the enlarged European Union to send strong signals to the industry that its concerns remain at the forefront of the EU policy Agenda.
These signals, the first of which was the Commission’s Communication of October 29th 2003, followed by the establishment of the High Level Group, have led to the formulation of a series of major recommendations, the rationale for which is set out below:
• Complete the Euro-Med free trade area and ensure its competitiveness by
• A breakthrough in clothing technology and
• An action plan in respect of China
• Secure genuine market access to third countries (reduce tariffs, eliminate non-tariff barriers)
• Improve skills, facilitate reconversions and protect intellectual property rights
• Ensure that the internal regulatory framework of the EU remains attractive for investment.
See the full report below in PDF
