The effects of MFA quota elimination on Indian fibre markets (original) (raw)

Inconclusive Price Structure of Indian Textile Fibres: An Analysis

The quantum of cotton produced annually and the fortunes of the cotton farmers of India are closely linked to the mercy of nature. Seemingly, nature has disturbed its course of action either by its own or through man-made destructions. Producing a natural fibre like cotton and other agro-products with available natural resources has been seen as a phenomenal task. The price of raw cotton produced has played a pivotal role in the livelihoods of millions of cotton farmers and also in the segment of cotton yarn and fabric manufacturing in the country. Cotton in India has been cultivated largely by resourcepoor small and medium farmers with fragmented small landholdings with various biotic and abiotic stresses. Any small disturbances in the price of the raw cotton would adversely affect millions of cotton farmers and also the processing industries.

MFA Quota Removal and Global Textile and Cotton Trade: Estimating Quota Trade Restrictiveness and Quantifying Post-MFA Trade Patterns

2004

This paper develops new adaptations to the GTAP framework and uses them to examine the global trade implications of MFA quota removal on cotton and textile industry. The analysis is based on a new set of MFA-trade restrictiveness estimates based on 2002 product- level quota trade and price data. Using a multi-regional general equilibrium, the analysis provides comparative static assessment of changes in global trade patterns in post-MFA. The analysis also takes into account the MFA- induced implicit tax on cotton and allows for inter-fiber substitution. The model is run for several scenarios including quota removal only or in combination with tariff liberalization. The analysis confirms previous findings of significant shifts in textile and apparel trade from preferential exporters to Asian and south Asian suppliers that are subject to binding MFA-quotas. However, not all MFA-exporters benefit equally from the expanding apparel trade. The United States shows significant increases in...

Phasing out of Multi-fibre Arrangement: Implications for the Indian Garment Exporting Firms

International trade in textiles and clothing has been constrained for the last two decades by “Multi-fibre Arrangement” (MFA). A major achievement of the Uruguay Round Agreement (henceforth GATT-94) is that a time table has been set for the phasing out of MFA under the auspices of newly formed World Trade Organisation (WTO) that has replaced GATT. The study finds that the Indian garment sector is all set to take on the challenges and opportunities created by the signing of the Final Act by the Government of India. Nevertheless, we observed that every word of optimism was qualified by a 'fear of the uncertain'. Firms are confident about their inherent competitive advantage that would facilitate greater market penetration. Yet, they realize that China, Pakistan and Bangladesh would emerge as major rivals in the global market along with multinationals.

Likely Impacts of Quota Policy on RMG Export from Bangladesh: Prediction and the Reality

International Journal of Business and Management, 2011

The Multi-fibre Arrangement (MFA) (Note 1) in global trade in apparels and textiles was phased out in December 2004. South Asian countries major concern was to prevent large-scale job losses due to liberalization and globalization. It was apprehended that the RMG sector of smaller countries especially Bangladesh will be adversely affected by losing a huge number of jobs, will face high competition from its low-cost competitor countries and will experience negative impact due to its high dependence on the United States and the European Union markets for its RMG products. Despite the concern and fear of negative impact on in the aftermath of quota removal of RMG sector in Bangladesh appears with positive trends along with the substantial increasing rate of export amount, the number of jobs and industries and GDP's growth. In 2010, the sector keeps around 20 percent GDP growth of the country.