TRACKING CHANGES IN TEXTILE AND APPAREL: AMEMBASSY

UNCLAS BANGKOK 006994

SIPDIS

STATE/EB/TPP/ABT EDWARD HEARTNEY
COMMERCE/ITA/OTEXA MARIA D'ANDREA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAGR TH
SUBJECT: TRACKING CHANGES IN TEXTILE AND APPAREL: AMEMBASSY
BANGKOK RESPONSE

REF: STATE 184238


1. This report responds to information requests contained in
reftel on "Tracking changes in textiles and apparel
employment and production after quota elimination."


2. Total textile and apparel production in USD value: 14.34
billion USD (down 3% from 2002).


4. Share of textiles and apparel of total Thai exports:
2001 -- 8%
2002 -- 7.5%
2003 -- 6.8%
2004 (Jan to August) -- 6.6%


5. Total manufacturing employment in Thailand is estimated to
be 1.1 million.


6. Total textile-related employment in Thailand is estimated
to be 773,337. Textile employment is usually 70-80% of total
manufacturing employment.


7. As one of the largest sources of manufacturing employment
in Thailand, the textiles and apparel sector is important.
There are reportedly 4570 textile and apparel factories in
Thailand, most of which are SMEs. However, several big
factories account for 80% of total production. While most
factories are engaged in garment assembly, there are 8-10
large spinning mills relying on imported yarn.


8. The RTG collects information on an annual basis.


9. The RTG is generally able to collect accurate figures on
formal sector employment. However, measuring informal sector
employment -- where significant numbers of textiles and
apparel workers may be found -- is a challenge.
JOHNSON