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Abstract
International trade in textile and apparel has been governed by quantitative restrictions under the Multi-Fiber Arrangement (MFA) and earlier agreements for more than 30 years. One of the major accomplishments of the Uruguay Round was the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC), which provides for the dismantling of these restrictions. Under the Uruguay Round ATC, the MFA restrictions are to be phased out over a 10-year period and are scheduled to end by the year 2005. This study evaluates the possible effect of the MFA phase-out on the world economy, especially the effect on the structure of world textile markets. As textile and apparel industries have been important sources of growth for many developing countries, this study will focus on the effect of the MFA phase-out on the developing countries.