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American
Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) President & Chief Executive Officer Kevin M.
Burke yesterday congratulated the Bush Administration for its decision to move forward on
free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the Dominican Republic. .Many AAFA members
have important trade relationships with the Dominican Republic,. noted Burke. .As we move
ahead on the U.S./Central America Free Trade Agreement (USCAFTA), it is only logical that
we move ahead with U.S./Dominican Republic free trade talks as well.. U.S. footwear and
apparel companies imported more than $2.2 billion worth of product from the Dominican
Republic (DR) during the year ending May 2003 . the most recent period for which
statistics are available. U.S. textile, footwear and apparel companies exported more than
$1.25 billion worth of product to the DR during that same period. The DR represents the
7th largest source of U.S. apparel imports. The combined countries of the DR and CAFTA
represent the single largest source of U.S. apparel imports in the world and the 4th
largest market for U.S. textile and apparel exports. The DR represents the 11th largest
source of U.S. footwear imports in the world and 3rd largest source of U.S. footwear
imports in this hemisphere. .For over 10 years, the Dominican Republic has been one of the
most important sources of apparel and footwear in this Hemisphere and a critical market
for U.S. exports of textiles and footwear parts, . stated Don Munro, AAFA Chairman and
Chairman of Munro & Company, Inc. .We believe that a free trade agreement with the
Dominican Republic will continue and expand this important relationship.. 1601 North Kent Street, Suite
1200, Arlington, VA 22209 p (703) 524-1864 (800) 520-2262 f (703) 522-6741 www.americanapparel.com
In
January 2002, the AAFA called for the inclusion of the Dominican Republic soon after plans
for the USCAFTA were first made public by the U.S. government. Since then, the AAFA has
consistently urged that the DR be brought into a free trade environment. ### The
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association
representing apparel, footwear, and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers,
which compete in the global market. AAFA's
mission is to promote and enhance its members' competitiveness, productivity and
profitability in the global market by minimizing regulatory, commercial, political, and
trade restraints.
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