Textile and apparel sector posts 4% growth of exports

Exports of the textile and apparel sector posted a 4% growth in the January-August period, compared to the same period of 2000.

The value of exports went up from 18.2 billion DH (US$ 1.6 billion) in 2000 to 19 billion DH (US$ 1.7 billion) in 2001, said chairman of the textile and apparel industries association.

The value of exports to France which takes 42% of Moroccan textile and apparel exports has progressed by 11% while those to Spain improved by 28% while the value of exports to Britain regressed by 22%.

The chairman of the association said the situation of the textile and apparel sector is critical and serious as a great number of enterprises have reduced their orders, quoting a poll conducted among professionals who said orders decreased for 70%, stagnated for 20% and increased for only 10% of enterprises.