Plans by the Uruguayan president Jorge Batlle to stimulate the country’s clothing industry by concentrating on the US market appear to be paying dividends.

Exports of textiles, wool and leather clothing to the US climbed from $8 million in 1999 to $13 million in 2000 and all the signs are that this figure will break the $20 million barrier this year and $50 million in 2002 or 2003.

The country’s clothing manufacturers said that with the present production structure they could produce clothes reaching an export value of US$200 million annually.