Malaysia Apparel Production Expand - Textiles Weaken 

Malaysia's success in the post-2005 environment has been a surprise.  

Malaysia's apparel sector is booming.  Production through July was up 51.8 percent.  July output expanded 47.4 percent to 8.017 million units; this expansion was led by brisk domestic demand and very strong exports.  July textile, apparel and footwear exports increased 3.5 percent to RM939.6 million.  Year-to-date exports are up 13.1 percent at RM6.648 billion, and exports to the U.S. are up 21.2 percent. 

The textile sector has seen output weaken in recent months as apparel manufacturers focus on imported fabrics. 

Domestic production of cotton fabric fell 8.5 percent in July to 12.701 million meters.  Monthly output of cotton fabric has fallen in four out of the past seven months.  Year-to-date output is flat, increasing 1.6 percent to 78.995 million meters.  Despite a 35.9 percent increase in domestic apparel production in 2005, domestic output of cotton fabric decreased 10.2 percent.

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