China exports buck trade trend

Exports to China in select categories of Australian textiles clothing and footwear (TCF) are on the rise.
Figures from the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) reveal that exports of men's and boys' clothing made from knitted or crocheted textiles rose by an impressive 471.7 per cent between 2003 and 2004, while women's and girls' clothing in the same textile category rose by 422.1 per cent in the period.
Clothing made from special yarns or textiles and specialist items such as swimwear increased by 61.8 per cent, while footwear rose by 58 per cent.
The figures provided a small but significant antidote to gloom over the dominance of Chinese imports said TFIA executive director Ashley Van Krieken.
They were supported by anecdotal evidence from the body's membership showing "increasing numbers of Australian companies exporting niche products into China, including high end and performance apparel," he claimed.
"There appears to be a growing demand for this type of product among Chinese consumers and they will continue to be interested in higher quality goods as they become more affluent," he explained.
"Most people see China as a threat to the TCF industry, but what we're saying is that while Australia can never win in terms of textile clothing and footwear, there are some areas in which access to Chinese markets could be beneficial to Australia."
Van Krieken said the TFIA had urged the federal government to ensure that trade barriers for Australian product going into China be kept to a minimum in its free trade agreement negotiations with China.
"These barriers include lack of transparency in terms of Chinese customs procedures, lack of access to transport and distribution networks, poor payment by export debtors, licensing issues and the threat to Australian intellectual property," he explained.