Beijing, July 13: The outbreak of SARS epidemic in China has allowed Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani exporters to seize part of the traditional global textile market held by the Chinese with some industry experts predicting a gloomy picture for the global giant for the rest of the year. According to officials of China Textile Industry Association, Chinese exports were particularly hit "badly" because face-to-face contact is required to finalise most orders.

"Buyers should have been in China in April, ordering apparel for the autumn and holiday seasons, but most of them called off their trips," Sun Huaibin, an association official, was quoted as saying by 'China Daily'.

Many foreign orders are shifting to rising competitors including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Turkey and Cambodia, Sun said. Sun said the months of May and June suffered the most from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis.

"The sliding in May exports is slim and I expect the slowdown in June to be more apparent," the official said.

Although World Health Organisation denied that SARS could be transmitted through contact with textiles or clothing, many countries delayed China's textile exports at their ports.

The exports to Japan were mostly affected in May because of the blocks. The number slumped by 26 per cent compared with April, totalling 983 million USD.

Bureau Report