The apparel maquila is confronting a new challenge. The US recession has caused a contraction in clothing sales and hence a reduction in imports. Asian, Latin American, African and other regional producers are already embroiled in a fierce competition for the US market. It is a new challenge because it is adding to what the region faced some years ago following the abolition of the MFA, which enabled China to become the world’s gigantic "sewing machine."

The impact on employment and poverty in Central America could be considerable. Maquila is an intensive, low-skilled labor. Therefore, due to the drop in sales, worker dismissals are immediate and massive.

The present work of the Chief Economist of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, Dr. Pablo Rodas Martini, consists of three sections. First, he presents figures on apparel imports by the US and he discusses the performance of apparel exports from Central America to that market in recent years. Secondly, he shows recent statistics s on US imports and apparel sales. Thirdly, he reflects on the implications of this new challenge for the maquila sector in Central America.

Source: Central American Bank for Economic Integration

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