MFA EXTENSION WITH GREATER MARKET ACCESS, SAY EXPORTERS.

Oct 4, 1992

MFA EXTENSION WITH GREATER MARKET ACCESS, SAY EXPORTERS.

GENEVA, 1 OCTOBER (TWN) -- Third World textile and clothing exporting countries, members of the Multifibre Agreement (MFA) have indicated their readiness to negotiate a further extension of the arrangement, pending conclusion of the Uruguay Round, but with improvements in the current market access.

The view point of these countries, grouped in the International Textiles and Clothing Bureau (ITCB) has been set out in an ITCB press release.

The MFA-4, which ended on 31 August 1991, was extended till 31 December this year, pending completion of the Uruguay Round negotiations which, among other things, would provide for the integration of the trade in textiles and clothing into the GATT.

At the time (in August 1991) when the rollover of the agreement for a limited period was agreed to, it had been hoped that the Uruguay Round negotiations would be concluded in 1991, and that the agreements under that accord would become effective from 1 January 1993.

ITCB members, said in the press release, that they were "disappointed that no substantive progress has been made towards the completion of the Round" since the beginning of 1992 and "on the contrary there still remains an atmosphere of uncertainty".

Since it was not apparent when the results of the Round would be available, the press release added, "members of the ITCB are prepared to negotiate with their trading partners the terms for an extension of the MFA".

"However, they stress that any extension will have to be short and with improvements in market access. The ITCB's aim in the forthcoming negotiations would be to seek greater market access for the textile and clothing exports of all its members".