Euratex: free trade conference on June 5

By

Matthieu Guinebault

Published
May 23, 2014

On June 5, The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (Euratex) will host a conference in Brussels entitled “Free trade and international agreements”, devoted to the impact of these agreements on the supply chain.

From a historical point of view, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Marrakech Agreement, and 9 years since the passage of textile/apparel under the authority of the World Trade Organization (WTO), ending four decades of trade with import quotas.

Industry professionals and political and economic experts will discuss the impact of these developments and prospective future trade agreements in the Belgian capital.

Roberto Azavêdo, director-general of the WTO, and Signe Ratso, director of trade strategy and analysis at the European Commission, will both be in attendance. Also to speak is Antonio Tajani, European commissioner for industry and entrepreneurship, who toured Europe last year, meeting with members of the textile industry.

Discussions will give the floor to representatives of the Korean Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI), The Turkish Textile Employers' Association (TTEA), The African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF), The Japanese Textile Federation (JTF), The Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF), The Clothing Manufacturer’s Association of India (CMAI), The Brazilian Textile and Apparel Association (ABIT) and The Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF). Leaders from the companies Barbara and Hugo Boss will also be present.

The conference will be held at the Stanhope Hotel (9 rue du Commerce). Pre-registration is accessible on the Euratex confederation site for those wishing to attend.