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The Impact of the Andean Trade Preference Act Twelfth ... - USITC

The Impact of the Andean Trade Preference Act Twelfth ... - USITC

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legumes could generate 15,000 new hectares <strong>of</strong> crops, 30,000 new jobs, and more than $100million in investment if trade preferences were extended. 251<strong>The</strong> Central Bank <strong>of</strong> Ecuador analyzed <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> non-renewal <strong>of</strong> ATPA and found that$211.3 million in exports, or about 16 percent <strong>of</strong> Ecuador’s exports to <strong>the</strong> United Statesexcluding crude oil, could be adversely affected. Of this 16 percent, 83 percent correspondsto exports <strong>of</strong> roses, followed by pineapples (6.2 percent). <strong>The</strong> Central Bank also noted thatshould GSP also lapse, 252 $412.4 million, or about 30 percent <strong>of</strong> non-oil exports to <strong>the</strong> UnitedStates, could be adversely affected. 253Textile and Apparel SectorEcuador is <strong>the</strong> smallest <strong>Andean</strong> supplier <strong>of</strong> textile and apparel products to <strong>the</strong> United States;however, its textile and apparel sector has been a historically significant component <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>country’s economy and employment. A recent manufacturing survey <strong>of</strong> Ecuador’s Institutefor Statistics and Census (INEC) estimates that <strong>the</strong> textile and apparel sector directlyemploys 16,000 workers and indirectly employs about 65,000 people. 254 Ecuadormanufactures primarily yarns and fabrics 255 but also produces materials for industrialproduction, finished clothing, and household products. 256 Ecuadorian products are reportedlyrecognized for <strong>the</strong>ir quality, designs, and low cost. 257 Currently, Ecuador’s textile andapparel sector does not yet have any full-package programs; however, joint ventures areunder way to improve and increase apparel production. 258Like its <strong>Andean</strong> neighbors, Ecuador’s demand for raw materials for textile and apparelproduction outstrips supply. Despite growing cotton production since <strong>the</strong> ATPDEA,Ecuador’s domestic production <strong>of</strong> cotton represents only 8 percent <strong>of</strong> consumption. 259 In2005, <strong>the</strong> United States was <strong>the</strong> second leading supplier <strong>of</strong> cotton and cotton yarns andfabrics to Ecuador, accounting for almost one-third <strong>of</strong> its imports.Ecuador’s apparel production is dominated by two textile companies, Royaltex (whichproduces Lee trousers) and Unicontex (which produces jeans). 260 ATPDEA has reportedlyled to a consolidation <strong>of</strong> Ecuador’s textile sector, increased imports <strong>of</strong> and investments in251Ibid.252 Like ATPA, GSP is scheduled to expire in Dec. 2006. For more information, see chapter 1<strong>of</strong> thisreport.253 Andres Teran, Charge d’Affairs, Embassy <strong>of</strong> Ecuador, Washington, D.C., written submission to <strong>the</strong>Commission concerning inv. No. 332-352, <strong>Andean</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>Preference</strong> <strong>Act</strong>: <strong>Impact</strong> on U.S. Industries andConsumers and on Drug Crop Eradication and Crop Substitution, June 16, 2006.254Textile Industry Association <strong>of</strong> Ecuador (AITE), e-mail message to Commission staff, June 13, 2006.255 Ibid.256 “Ecuador Textiles, Clothing, Yarn, Fabric and More,” May 3, 2004, found athttp://www.ecuadorexports.com, retrieved June 29, 2005.257Ibid.258 Amparo Meneses, (Commercial Assistant, U.S. Commercial Service, Ecuador), e-mail message toCommission staff, June 30, 2006.259AITE, e-mail message to Commission staff, June 13, 2006.260Financial Times Information, “Ecuador: Unicontex Is <strong>the</strong> Second Main Textile Company in <strong>the</strong>Country,” Nov. 14, 2004, found at http;//www.nexis.com/research/search/submitViewTagged, retrieved May31, 2006.3-28

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