My paper is on the garment assembly industry in the Caribbean (which serves the US market almost exclusively) and the impact of the Chinese competition. As of late, though, the trend appears to have been reversing just a bit due to rising transportation costs. I just learned that some 60,000 manufacturing plants (apparel, toys, etc.) had closed in China in 2008 alone. Have to incorporate that new data into my paper. Heading down to the office again tomorrow Sunday (!) to continue. What fun!
The upside, though, is after the conference, I am taking a two week vacation in England. Will be in Manchester visiting with an old friend and then I am off to a reunion of the class of 1982 at LSE. I will end up in Brighton after that to visit my other alma mater. "Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne
Given how cheap containerised sea freight is, one has to wonder are the margins so low even between Chinese and Caribbean labour?
Might it be also an effect of the drop of the dollar relative to the renminbi but not relative to the caribbean currencies? When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
As of late, though, the trend appears to have been reversing just a bit due to rising transportation costs. I just learned that some 60,000 manufacturing plants (apparel, toys, etc.) had closed in China in 2008 alone.
Do you have sources for this information? I am very much interested: I'm making a presentation on globalisation in conference tomorrow and I would like to mention this if the source is reliable. "Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
Do I get a commission? :) "Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne
