Managing Restructuring in the Textile and Garment Subsector : Examples from Asia Book

The industrial sector program of the Economic Development Institute's (EDI) Finance and Private Sector Development Division focuses on the process of industrial change and its role in economic development. This paper focuses on the growth and change of the textile and garment industry in Asia. Rapid technological changes, competition from new suppliers, protection of the sector, and the structural characteristics of the industry have led to many structural weaknesses. Many countries, developing and industrial, are therefore in the throes of restructuring this subsector in line with the changing dynamics of comparative advantage. The author addresses the changing structure of the industry and the factors that influence the change, adjustment, and restructuring undertaken by industrial and developing countries, and specific country cases of adjustment and restructuring.