Initial research began with the number of U.S. Textiles and Apparel Imports by category trade data provided by The Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) for Men’s and Boy’s cotton shirts, not knit. Top countries among the highest number of imports for the most recent data, Year to Date 2/2013, were selected based on category 340 which closely matched Astir P.’s HTS Code 6205.20. Astir P. chose this method for initial research since these countries are already conducting a high level of business with the U.S. Next, global regional trends were analyzed to reveal overall trends that affect growth and consumption in these areas.
Profile sheets detailing the government, economy, climate & natural disasters, communication, the business climate, labor force, global participation like trade organizations, textile industry, and risk and benefit analyses were created for the 6 countries, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and El Salvador.
What is Measured?
Numbered from 1-185, economies are ranked on their ease of doing business. A high ranking, (a low number) indicates a more conducive environment for starting a local firm.
The firm’s ability to trade overseas depends on several factors, including infrastructure, port operations, documentation requirements, customs’ procedures, and inspections and audits from governmental agencies. Trading Across Borders looks at the procedural requirements for exporting and importing a standardized cargo of goods. All official documents from the every contractual agreement between two parties to the delivery of goods are counted and the time necessary for completion is included. The data presented is the most recent from June 2012.
The student team's ranking of each country based on business climate, costs, government, location, risks, social stability, sourcing guidelines, textile industry, trade agreements, trained workforce, and socio-eco-political factors.
