Mainland textile exports are certain to fall this year due to currency devaluations in rival economies, state planners said.
Authorities yesterday forecast that a short-lived rally in textile and garment exports will end this year amid 'fierce international competition' from Asia.
Government analysts said the industry would lose significant world market share to India and Pakistan despite an increase in tax rebates and billions of dollars in write-offs at state-owned mills.
'The financial storm in Southeast Asian countries will result in reduced orders for China's garment and textile products,' they said.
In a commentary in the China Daily , analysts said weaker currencies and 'comparatively cheap labour and more abundant cotton' in neighbouring countries would dampen domestic exports.
'The decline deserves close attention from China's manufacturers and exporters because textile consumption keeps growing in the world market,' it said.
