We seek here to identify those trends which are most relevant from the standpoint of evaluating the effects of the Multifibre Arrangement (MFA). For developing country (ldc) exporters of textiles and garments, one key trend to monitor is that which establishes whether, in accordance with Article 1:3, the Arrangement has provided scope “for a greater share for them in world trade in these products”. A more ambiguous index is one which m easures whether the MFA has helped Ides (also Article 1:3 and preamble) “to secure a substantial increase in their export earnings from textile products” “Substantial” is often equated with 6 per cent per annum real growth of ldc exports to importing participants though Annex B makes it clear that the 6 per cent is applicable to restrained categories only, rather than to trade overall.