NTMs in Textile and Apparel Industry in Myanmar: Analysis of Impacts of Trade Barriers

Abstract

Multilateral trade negotiations have helped substantially reduce tariff rates over the years. Non-tariff measures (NTMs) as policy measures can potentially have an economic effect on international trade in goods, changing quantities traded, or prices or both. Myanmar is at the very beginning stage of listing NTMs exercised in the country, and there has been no systematic collection of the official regulations which could be understood as NTMs. The motivation for selecting the apparel sector as a case study in this context arises due to the significance of this sector in terms of its impact on employment and inclusive growth in Myanmar. The apparel industry achieved its growth throughout the 1990s. It has contributed a considerable percentage to the total export earnings of Myanmar before the economic sanctions by the EU and the United States in 2003. While this sector is not the major sector in driving the country’s exports, its importance comes from the fact that it is a major source of employment, especially for women. Policy corrections suggested in this chapter are expected to improve and create new trade opportunities, higher employment, gender equality and inclusive growth in Myanmar.