The textile and clothing industry represents a vital source of income for developing countries. World trade in textiles and clothing constitutes almost US $400bn – nearly 10 per cent of all trade in manufactured goods.
A major proportion of these exports comes from developing countries, including more than 70 per cent of all apparel exports, making the sector a vital source of employment, income and
foreign exchange revenues.
Globally, tens of millions of people work in textiles and clothing, more than two-thirds of whom are located in Asia (Oxfam 2004, Appelbaum 2004). It is estimated that nearly three-quarters of all workers in the garment industry are women.
