Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) are increasingly proving to be a formidable weapon capable of undermining legitimate textiles trade, cautioned the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) on Thursday.
Since 2019, a total of 131 NTB notifications have been issued concerning the textile sector, with Uganda leading the pack at 71 notifications, followed by Ecuador (10), China (8), and others. These barriers encompass certifications, regulations, inspections, standards, and SPS (sanitary and phyto-sanitary) measures, often complying with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.
Nevertheless, when misused to unfairly discriminate against imports and hinder market access, these measures transform into non-tariff barriers, obstructing genuine trade. AEPC organized a webinar to raise awareness within the industry about this pressing issue. Mithileshwar Thakur, AEPC's Secretary General, highlighted the escalating use of NTBs as a tool to disrupt trade and called for strategies to address challenges arising from new legislation.
