PARIS, Oct 25: The French textile and clothing industries are opposed to any “unilateral concession” from the European Union (EU) in favour of developing countries at the meeting of World Trade Organization (WTO).

The moment has come for many Asian and South American countries to open their markets to French and European products, said French textile and clothing industry representatives Thierry Noblot and Phillipe-Jean Lecas during a press conference.

They said that the meeting at Doha from November 9 to 13 should launch a new round of multilateral negotiations.

The meeting in Doha is crucial because it must lead to world textile-clothing trade that is open, reciprocal and loyal, said Noblot.

The French textile and clothing industry is seeking a reduction in customs tariffs around the world of 15 per cent, a ban on all forms of non-tariff trade barriers and protection for brands and designs.

Non-tariff barriers include hurdles that some countries’ customs agencies impose on foreign imports and refusals to allow foreign distributers into certain markets.

There comes a moment when you can’t accept losing any more, and that moment has come, said Noblot, who is to attend the meeting in Doha with Lecas to defend the interests of the French and European textile and clothing industries.

The EU’s trade in textile and clothing with developed countries showed a surplus in 2000 of $7.6 billion. European textile and clothing exports to developing countries rose 17 per cent in 2000 to four billion euros.

Noblot said that this was proof that European companies are competitive despite the handicaps that they face.—AFP