NEWS

ABTT: domestic economy has allowed for an increase in textile and clothing consumption

The Brazilian Association of Textile Technicians (ABTT) has recently carried out a performance evaluation of the textile and clothing industry in Brazil in 2007. The entity's president, João Luiz Martins Pereira, thinks the companies focused a lot on the domestic market last year, since the exchange rate made exportation difficult. "The growth of the domestic economy has allowed for a considerable increase in textile and clothing consumption, but the margins are still very tight", he assessed. Pereira also stressed that the increase in electric energy costs, an important resource in this segment, which began in 2007, has been causing apprehension. "In a labor-intensive sector such as ours, this is not doubt a cause for concern".

Changes must be fair and equal

According to the president of ABTT, the next two years will be crucial for the industry. He also said he hoped the authorities were sensible, allowing both businessmen and workers to produce on equal terms. "We cannot renounce the social and environmental victories achieved by Brazil. That is why we have to obtain equality to produce and grow with dignity and respect to man and the environment. We cannot accept to be producers/exporters of commodities, iron, cotton, meat, soybeans, sugar and alcohol only", he says. Pereira further says that adding value and quality to the products upon exportation does make a difference. "If a certain amount of cotton is exported at USD 5, the same amount turned into cloth will be exported at USD 10. If manufactured it can be exported at USD 20 and if it is a name brand the price can reach USD 200". Further information can be obtained at www.abtt.org.br.


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