Prospects for the Textile and Garment Industry in China

• Publication date: June 2009
• Report size: 40 pages

China’s textile and garment industry has expanded at a breathtaking pace in recent decades. Overall, the industry employs around 20 mn people directly—plus a large number in support activities—and the sector fulfils a vital role in the Chinese economy. Export sales expanded 42-fold in the 28 years to 2008 to reach US$185 bn—more than ten times the value of Chinese textile and garment imports. China has become the world’s largest supplie...

China’s textile and garment industry has expanded at a breathtaking pace in recent decades. Overall, the industry employs around 20 mn people directly—plus a large number in support activities—and the sector fulfils a vital role in the Chinese economy. Export sales expanded 42-fold in the 28 years to 2008 to reach US$185 bn—more than ten times the value of Chinese textile and garment imports. China has become the world’s largest supplier of textiles and garments, and is the largest source of textile and garment imports into the USA, the EU and Japan. China also ranks among the world’s largest producers of natural and synthetic fibres, as well as having extensive operations for manufacturing yarns, fabrics
and garments. In 2007 alone, garment production amounted to 51 bn pieces. Chinese manufacturers also account for around half of the world’s purchases of textile and garment manufacturing machinery. China’s rapid expansion stems from the declaration of an “open door” policy by Deng Xiaoping 30 years ago. Since then a series of reforms has been implemented, and international trade and investments have been promoted. In addition, successive Chinese leaders have pursued policies designed to encourage private enterprise and stimulate foreign investment. As a result, the industry is now characterised by ambitious private sector enterprises, which have an entrepreneurial spirit and a mission to expand their presence in international markets while meeting demand from the country’s increasingly prosperous population of 1.34 bn people.
That said, the industry faces several challenges—including growing competition from Asian countries with lower labour costs, notably Bangladesh and Vietnam. One imperative is to move away from the low cost image which its products have in the global marketplace and to develop recognised international brands. Another imperative is to restructure manufacturing operations into larger units to secure greater economies of scale and generate higher profit margins. Meanwhile, the domestic market holds huge potential for growth and this will underpin future expansion. Also, while the global recession has affected the Chinese economy’s short-term prospects, most experts have predicted significant economic growth over the next two years, from which the Chinese textile and garment sector stands to benefit.

Textile Manufacturing Industry in China

SUMMARY
IMPORTANCE OF THE TEXTILE AND GARMENT INDUSTRY TO THE CHINESE
ECONOMY
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TEXTILE AND GARMENT INDUSTRY IN CHINA
CHINA: GEOGRAPHICAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROFILE
Geography
Political background
Economic profile
CHINA: INFRASTRUCTURE
Transport
CHINA: HUMAN RESOURCES
SIZE AND STRUCTURE OF THE TEXTILE AND GARMENT INDUSTRY IN CHINA
TEXTILE AND GARMENT PRODUCTION IN CHINA
PRODUCTION MACHINERY AND TECHNOLOGY IN CHINA'S TEXTILE AND
GARMENT INDUSTRY
CHINA'S TEXTILE AND GARMENT EXPORTS AND IMPORTS
Exports
Imports
FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA'S TEXTILE AND GARMENT INDUSTRY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND INVESTMENT INCENTIVES
Lowering barriers to trade
Tax concessions for foreign investment enterprises (FIES)
Concessions on business tax, value-added tax (VAT) and customs duty
Concessions on corporate income tax
Individual income tax concession for foreigners
Long-term programme for the textile and garment industry
The development of new markets
Investment in updated technology and the development of brands
Energy saving
Relocation to central and western regions
Financial support TEXTILES AND GARMENTS IN CHINA: STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES,
OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
List of tables
Table 1: China: political and economic profile, 2009
Table 2: China: economic indicators, 2005-08
Table 3: China: production of cotton fibre, chemical fibre, yarn and fabric, 1980-2008
Table 4: China: imports of textile and garment machinery by value, 2006-08
Table 5: China: imports of textile and garment machinery by volume, 2006-08
Table 6: China: imports of textile and garment machinery by leading supplier, 2006-08
Table 7: China: exports of textile and garments, 1990-2008
Table 8: China: exports of textiles and garments by leading destination, 2006-08
Table 9: China: exports of textiles by leading destination, 2008
Table 10: China: exports of garments by leading destination, 2008
Table 11: China: imports of textiles and garments, 2006-08
Table 12: China: textile imports by leading supplier, 2008
Table 13: China: imports of fibres and raw cotton by value, 2006-08
Table 14: China: imports of fibres and raw cotton by volume, 2006-08
Table 15: China: imports of textile raw materials by leading supplier, 2008
Table 16: China: imports of yarns and fabrics by value, 2004-08
Table 17: China: imports of yarns and fabrics by volume, 2004-08