Israel imported, during the first quarter of this year, 54 million items of apparel from China worth $80 million, 34% more than during the corresponding quarter of 2005
 
Manufacturers Association textile and fashion division chairman Ramzi Gabbay said last week that Israeli textiles manufacturers were worried by ongoing flooding of cheap Chinese textile products imported to Israel.
 
According to Gabbay Israel imported, during the first quarter of this year, 54 million items of apparel from China worth $80 million, 34% more than during the corresponding quarter of 2005.
 
He added that the trend had intensified this year. Textile imports from China totaled $117.6 million in the first quarter, an increase of 32.7%. Textile imports from the Far East rose 19.8% to $202.6 million.
 
The cheap Chinese import was, according to Gabbay, the main reason for the firing of 600 textile employees last year. Israel’s textiles and fashion industry currently employs 18,900 workers.
 
An analysis of textile imports shows that in the first quarter of 2006 Israel imported 12.5 millions shirts valued at US$18.In the same period Israel imported 9 millions underwear items valued at US$3.5 millions, 3.5 millions socks valued at US$1.3 millions and 3 millions suits, trousers and overcoats valued at US$8.6 millions.