07/08/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Branded Clothing Alliance (EBCA) 'strongly regrets the collapse of the multilateral trade negotiations last week in Geneva. The decision to end talks was particularly disappointing given that convergence on the overwhelming majority of issues on the table had finally been achieved.' In a press release published on Wednesday 6 August 2008, EBCA urged the WTO negotiators to start the talks again as soon as possible. 'Beyond tariff reductions, progress made on non-tariff barriers and trade facilitation would have increased trade flows and predictability for industry,' explained EBCA, which represents more than 50 brands and employs more than 100,000 people in Europe. 'Seven years of hard work should not go to waste,' it added. (A.B.)