Cheap labour, fiscal support such as duty-free import of fabrics and accessories, and new infrastructure to help smoother, quicker exports have helped the industry grow rapidly.

BBC: Dhaka factory collapse: Can clothes industry change?

Last week the Americans expanded the list of goods that poor African countries can import duty-free to the United States.

ECONOMIST: Emerging Africa

In the past, foreign business offices were allowed to import cars, computers and so forth duty-free, on the understanding that they would eventually re-export them.

ECONOMIST: Old Russian customs

The state looked after him well, providing him with a lavish tax-free pension, cars, servants and a lifetime exemption from import duty.

ECONOMIST: Canaan Banana

In the first instance, this would allow Timor to import 45, 000 cars wholly made in South Korea free of duty (the tariff rate for other cars entirely made abroad is 125%).

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