The rush to Bangladesh began in earnest in 2005, when an international trade quota system called the Multi Fiber Arrangement expired, lifting the strict limit on the amount of textiles and garments developing countries could export to developed countries.

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When the WTO Multi-Fiber Arrangement was allowed to expire in 2005, lifting quotas on hyper-competitive Asian economies, the effect on African garment producers was severe.

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This arrangement presupposes Gen Musharraf's early retirement from the army and a lifting of the emergency ahead of elections, which he says will be held before 9 January.

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