"In 2012, the overall size of the Textile & Clothing industry in the EU-27 represents a turnover of 165 billion € and investments of around 5 billion €. Despite the strong impact of the global economic recession in 2009, the 181.000 T&C companies still employ over 1,7 million workers. EU external trade was more dynamic than the previous year with 42 billion € of T&C products exported and 90 billion € imported from Third markets." (Quoted from site)