TNCs and the Removal of Textiles and Clothing Quotas

For developing countries, the textiles and clothing industries have traditionally been an important gateway to industrialization and increased exports. With the expiration of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, the quota system originally set up through the Multifibre Arrangement was phased out. This has important implications for the allocation of export-oriented production and is likely to affect in various ways a large number of developing countries that rely heavily on such exports. Drawing on a wide range of studies as well as on original research, this volume shows that transnational corporations are likely to play a critical role in determining the future global production structure in these industries.