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Textile
Industry in France
France shares its borders with Belgium,
Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy,
Monaco and Spain. It is a known leader
amidst the other European nations. The
metropolitan territory of France is
located in the Western Europe. The total
irrigation land of France is of 26,190
sq km and 189 cu km water resources.
France has witnessed a complete
transition to a world market economy
with a GDP of $2.515 trillion in
2007-08. The country's industrial sector
constitutes a major share from
chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy,
aircraft, textiles and food processing
sector. A tremendous rise in its exports
was witnessed at $558.9 billion in
2007-08. Germany is one of the major
export partner followed by Spain, Italy
and UK.
Economic Review
According to an article by Indian
Industries, the economic review of
France can be stated as under:
• Fifth largest economy in the world in
USD exchange-rate terms.
• Seventh largest economy in the world
in terms of purchasing power parity.
• Lowest poverty rate amongst the large
economies.
• According to World Bank and IMF, it is
third largest in Europe.
• The economy is open to foreign trade
of goods.
• Substantial agricultural resources,
large industrial base and a highly
skilled workforce.
• Agriculture and agro-food industries
account for a larger share of economic
activity.
Textiles
According to a report, the textile and
apparel sector had flourished profusely
in the Lyon region through the silk
trade. From the production of raw
materials to the manufacture of finished
products (apparel, furnishing,
industrial applications, and technical
textiles), this region has played a
vital role in lining the processes
together. The textile industry
represents 46,000 direct jobs to the
people with a total turnover of USD 5.2
billion, and a value added of USD 1.6
billion.
Excluding apparels, activities in the
textile sector in Rhone-Alpes region are
divided into weaving (51%), knitted
fabrics (19%), dyeing & ennoblement
(9%), throwing (8%), other branches (7%)
and miscellaneous (6%).
The four major fields of the Lyon
textile industry are weaving, knitted
fabrics, dyeing & ennoblement, and
throwing. The Rhone-Alps region provides
a qualified workforce and invests in
research and development. However, the
clothing sector is experiencing some
difficulty in Europe due to the
globalization of trade and to relocation
that has led to a sharp decrease in the
number of employees.
The textile sector in Rhone-Alps is
largely internationalized and has an
export rate of 33.6 percent (figures in
2007-08). Owing to the presence of
expertise and creativity in art crafts
with silk, companies in Rhone-Alps unite
every stage of manufacturing i.e. from
fibre production and yarn techniques to
finished products, therefore covering
the entire process. The apparel sector
represents 48 percent of the weaving
outlets, household textiles 30 percent,
and textiles for technical and
industrial use 22 percent.
Carpet Industry
France is one of the few European
countries where people are interested in
handicrafts, especially in different
types of weaving. The population
composition is such that almost 75 per
cent of the population resides in the
main cities while 25 per cent of them
reside in hilly or mountainous regions
where the occupation undertaken for
earning a living is animal husbandry and
agriculture.
French people absorbed carpet weaving
during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Probably, the designs exhibit an
influence from Iran. Prior to carpet
weaving, the French were more familiar
with Kilims and Tapestry. French carpets
are in small dimensions with woolen
pile.
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