Competition from China is killing Colombia’s textile and footwear industry, the sector said Wednesday, demanding measures to protect domestic jobs against the Asian giant.
According to Colombia’s textile industry, it is unable to compete on the domestic market with their Chinese competitors.
“The State must protect us,” a footwear producer told newspaper El Heraldo, who said he has been forced to lower his production with 70% in order not to go bankrupt.
The same newspaper was also given on a letter that reportedly has been circulating among textile businesses in which the producers complain about the “Chinese trap” that according to them is running them and their Brazilian competitors out of business.
“Some acquaintances returned from China impressed. Of a product of which Brazil produces a million units, in China — in one single factory — they produce 40 million,” the letter reportedly said.
“The quality is the same and the speed of distribution is impressive. The Chinese put out any product on the market in a matter of weeks, at prices that are a fraction of the Brazilians,” the letter reportedly continued.
Representatives of the fashion and textile industry will meet with Bogota mayor Gustavo Petro and Trade Minister Sergio Diaz-Granados on Thursday to demand an increase in import tariffs on textile products and footwear, and improved checks at ports to protect the industry.
Sources
- Empresarios del calzado advierten acerca de “la gran trampa china” (El Heraldo)
- Más del 70% de fábricas de calzado han cerrado por competencia china (El Espectador)