Manufacturers turn to Central America for quick-turn apparel

The demise of a free-trade agreement between the United States and several Asian countries is breathing new life into the Guatemalan apparel industry.

With intense competition heating up around the world for cheap labor, Guatemala is not the least expensive place for hourly wages, but it is a member of the Cafta accord between the United States and six Central American countries. That means that clothing made from fabric and materials coming from the region gets duty-free entry into the United States, lopping off up to 32 percent in tariffs.

Source: Apparel News