China is the leading importer of clothing to Europe (31.4%) followed by Turket (14.9%) and Romania (6.7%). Leading EU-produced clothing destinations were Switzerland (17.1%), the USA (13.7%) and Russia (11.3%).

Leading importers of textiles to the EU25 were China (21.9%), Turkey (15.1%) and India (10.4%), while the leading export destinations for EU textiles were the US (12.3%), Romania (10%) and Turkey (7.3%).

The EU25's clothing, textiles and manmade fibre industries had a combined turnover of ？201.9 billion in 2006, according to Euratex - the European Apparel and Textile Organisation.

Of this figure, textiles accounted for around ？114 billion, clothing for ？77.8 billion and manmade fibres for a further 10.1 billion.

Investment by the industries amounted to just over ？5 billion last year and the number of people employed was over 2.1 million.

The EU25's exports were worth ？38.7 billion while imports were worth ？81.1 billion.