European Apparel and Textile Organisation
24 rue Montoyer – B – 1000  Brussels
phone: + 32.2.285.48.81 – Fax : +32.2.230.60.54
e:mail : william.lakin@euratex.org
Web-site : www.euratex.org

CHINA Investigations: Euratex President Libeert expresses cautious welcome.

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European Apparel and Textile Organisation
24 rue Montoyer – B – 1000 Brussels
Web-site: www.euratex.org

PRESS RELEASE
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CHINA INVESTIGATIONS: EURATEX PRESIDENT LIBEERT EXPRESSES CAUTIOUS WELCOME.

Brussels April 25th, 2005
Euratex, the European Apparel and textile Organisation, today welcome the announcement of the Commission that it would open investigations into imports from China of nine textile and clothing categories under safeguard clause under the Special China Textile safeguard clause.
Euratex President Filiep Libeert stated: “The announcement by the Commission is to be viewed as a first clear signal that the European authorities do not intend to remain inactive in face of the unprecedented growth in volume up to +543% in certain Chinese product exports to the European Union at prices which have fallen by up to -47%. It is clear that the contributory factors to this exceptionally damaging result have taken place under social, environmental and abnormal trading conditions which simply cannot exist in the European Union. Safeguards are a legal instrument intended for just such exceptional events.”
It was on March 9th, 2005 that Euratex formally requested the Commission to take immediate safeguard action on 12 categories of textile and clothing products. In this context Euratex expressed some satisfaction that a majority of the 9 categories including, pullovers, trousers, bras and linen fabrics have been considered as candidates for action in the decision of the Commission announced on April 24th.



“We now offer our full cooperation to the authorities to ensure that the essential safeguards are put into place at the earliest possible date,” stressed Filiep Libeert who did not exclude that requests for action in categories not included on the list announced by the Commission could be introduced by the industry in the near future, based upon an objective assessment of the latest data.

Filiep Libeert
President of Euratex

For further information contact:
Mr. W.H. LAKIN
Director General
Tel : 00 32 2/285.48.81
Fax : 00 32 2/230.60.54
E-mail : william.lakin@euratex.org
Mr. F. MARCHI
Director Economic Affairs
Tel : 00 32 2/285.48.92
Fax : 00 32 2/230.60.54
E-mail : francesco.marchi@euratex.org