history

Historically, textile and clothing industries have played a major role in the process of economic development. Wool produced by cottage industries brought great riches to Britain and other European countries from the Middle Ages - and it was cotton textile production which led Britain into the industrial revolution in the second half of the18th century, based on cotton imported mostly from Asian countries.

Although textile production developed all over the world simultaneously, it was, until the 19th century, countries of the so-called developing world, particularly Asia, which led the way. Many of the most valuable woven cloths, textiles and processes emerged and were developed by Asian countries. 

European textile industries were keen to compete. Already in 1696, there were riots in England about the impact of cotton imports from India, which had become the rage among the new European bourgeoisie, on the indigenous wool industry. The reaction of the English parliament was to pass a law forbidding the wearing or use of silks and printed cottons imported from India, Persia and China.

By 1912, Britain was importing 90,000 tons of raw cotton, producing 8 billion yards of cloth per year and exporting enough woven material to provide a suit of clothes for almost every man, woman, and child alive at the time.

However, the tables were soon to turn. The second half of the 20th century has seen rapid industrialisation spread across the globe, starting with Asia and the Pacific rim.

There are now more than 50 developing countries supplying garments to the industrialised world. Of these, the 25 largest suppliers account for nearly 90 percent of trade.

Further information: 

For more detail, see factsheet 1.

 

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