In the first quarter of 2019, my country's industrial textile industry has overcome various unfavorable factors and still maintained a relatively high growth rate. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the growth rate of the industrial added value of industrial textiles in the first quarter reached 9.4%, an increase of 1.3 percentage points over the same period last year, and the overall benefits of the industry are developing well.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in the first quarter, the output of non-woven fabrics above designated size reached 981.4 thousand tons, a year-on-year increase of 13.65%. The market demand continued to be strong; the output of cord fabric was 141,300 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 4.82%. The nonwovens market has a wide range of applications, and demand continues to maintain a relatively rapid growth rate; while cord fabrics are mainly used for automobile and bicycle tires, with narrow application areas and relatively large fluctuations in output.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in the first quarter, the main business revenue and total profits of enterprises above designated size in the industry were 57.362 billion yuan and 2.634 billion yuan, an increase of 13.43% and 16.86% respectively. The profit rate of the industry in the first quarter was 5.32%, a year-on-year increase 0.16 percentage points. The continuous growth of market demand and the successive implementation of the national "fee reduction and tax reduction" policy have made the industry's profitability begin to improve. The industry's gross profit margin has increased by 0.1% year-on-year, and the three-fee ratio has also decreased by 0.37% year-on-year. The loss of loss-making enterprises in the industry has been reduced by 11.54%, reversing the rapid growth of loss-making enterprises in the industry over the past year.

In terms of listed companies, 18 listed companies for industrial textiles announced their first quarter reports. Half of them achieved both growth in main business income and profits. The overall main business income increased by 11.02%, total profits increased by 63.70%, and profit margins were 10.98%. A year-on-year increase of 3.53 percentage points, much higher than the industry average.

According to customs data, in the first quarter, my country's industrial textile industry exports continued to grow, and imports declined. Exports totaled US$6.424 billion, an increase of 5.72% year-on-year; imports were US$1.549 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 8.78%. Among the main export products, the export value of industrial coated fabrics, felts and tents, non-woven fabrics, disposable sanitary products, cord (cable) textiles, wipes, and industrial fiberglass products increased by 3.05%, respectively. 9.57%, 8.53%, 13.12%, 6.63%, 7.90% and 6.24%. Among them, the average export unit prices of industrial coated fabrics, felts and tents, cord (cable) belt textiles and wipes have varying degrees rise.

In general, the industrial textile industry has a good start in 2019. Demand and production have maintained rapid growth. Enterprises have strong confidence in future development. At the same time, the development of the industry is also facing many challenges and uncertainties, especially in China and the United States. The increase in export tariffs caused by trade frictions requires the industry to actively respond to it through multiple channels to resolve risks, ensure the stable operation of the industry throughout the year, and maintain a certain growth rate.