APPENDIX 36
Memorandum submitted by Midlands Fashion
Showcase
Thank you for your letter dated 19 September
2006, responding to the concerns raised within the clothing and
textiles sector here in the West Midlands.
Globalisation was always about giving opportunities
to developing countries to export their own manufactured goods.
In reality we are seeing the reverse, as the developed countries
such as America, Japan, EU, Taiwan and Korea pour massive technical
know how, capital and machinery into certain areas across the
world, hidden behind terminology such as `Buy-Back'. The net effect
has been exponential growth over a period that has had massive
ramifications far beyond expectation in terms of domestic manufacture.
In our opinion the WTO never intended this to happen, especially
as we are facing a potential situation where in our own country
businesses such as China plc and India plc would be investigative
candidates for the "Monopolies and Mergers Commission".
Our members have made clear their issues and
note the areas that you are concentrating on:
Marketing UK plc: Our involvement with UKTI
as a sector has been excellent and we should like to compliment
the very active and very successful UKTI Offices based here in
Birmingham & Solihull. Marketing West midlands clothing and
textiles plc is a major issue and has been ignored to a great
extent by the RDA, as we are not part of the regional agenda.
Innovative and inspirational marketing windows for clothing and
textiles UK plc such as a hub for existing and new design led
fashion businesses would be a real investment in the future of
the region.
Public procurement: Our letter dated 12 September
2006 made mention of the fact that we are not supporting domestic
UK business when it comes to public procurement contracts and
much could be done to make headway on this issue. Infrastructure
needs to be in place to broker cultural changes that ensure a
co-operative philosophy with regional and inter-regional collaborative
alliances. Small specialist manufacturers need to start working
together to create a force that can compete in the bidding that
is necessary to secure procurement contracts.
Skills shortage: Investment is needed to create
co-operatives that are innovative, design-led and entrepreneurial
in their outlook. Businesses that are technically aware and have
the ability to diversify and change when needed and have the knowledge
to compete in terms of the business skills that are required in
today's competitive world can succeed. Such development requires
a team of specialist fashion and clothing professional that understand
the sector and the needs of the sector and can offer one to one
business support.
We note that many of the points raised in our
previous correspondence have been addressed in your letter and
thank you for your response. As an industry we have been neglected
when compared to some of the other sectors whilst at the same
time continuing to employ large numbers of people.
The views expressed in this letter are those
of our Members who make up businesses that are operative in the
West Midlands region. If we can be of any further assistance in
"The future of UK manufacturing industry" please do
not hesitate to contact us.
26 September 2006
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