On a worldwide basis, the Textile & Clothing (T&C) industry is a growing industry. Operating in a competitive environment, the EU and Japan are still playing lead roles in developing high technology and quality of fibres and fabrics as well as in creating high value added apparels and fashion. Both the EU and Japan are key export markets for their respective textile and clothing industry. In EU’s case, Japan is the seventh T&C export market reaching almost €1.9 billion. For the Japanese industry, the EU is the 3rd export market reaching almost €0.7 billion.

Euratex, the European Textile and Apparel Confederation, and JTF, Japanese Textile Federation, maintain excellent relationship and complementary activities. The trade structure of T&C between the EU and Japan is complementary. Under those circumstances, both industries believe that a trade deal would expand the trade and investment in T&C between the two parties and promote further business development. It would also build platforms in various types of R&D co-operation, thereby creating new innovations and business opportunities.

Over the last years, both associations have had deep discussions on the way to reach an agreement that would benefit companies mutually. They recently agreed on major issues, as for tariffs elimination and rules of origin. President of Euratex, Piolat emphasized that the European Apparel and Textile Confederation is the political voice of the textile and clothing industry in Europe. And it is the mission of Euratex to create a favourable environment within the European Union for manufacturing of textile and fashion products. The EU textile and clothing industry, including manmade fibres, remains an essential pillar of the local economy across the EU regions.