Abstract:
This paper focuses on a taxonomic investigation of apparel trade. Identification of the leading importers
of garments in the world (at present USA), identification of major global apparel exporters, determining
export routes to USA, checking position of India as an apparel exporting competitor to US, analyzing
functional competency of garment exporting countries on apparel value chain and matching country
specific competencies with their respective rank and market share in export to USA are the stages of
taxonomic investigation. Asian countries like India, China, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam being
major exporters of apparel to USA were found to have different positions in the value chain. This was
found to have a close linkage with their share in the exports. India leads the other Asian countries except
China in terms of value chain components being able to cover the whole of it. For comprehensive value
chain advantage it faces stiff competition from China.
