Several factors apparently combined to weaken export performance. First, Asian firms
became less competitive during the early 1990s because of the real exchange rate appreciations
discussed above. According to data compiled by Werner International (1996), wage rates in the
apparel sector in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand all grew by 12 percent per year or more
between 1990-95, with Malaysia recording the fastest growth of all at 23 percent per year.
Second, as mentioned, over production led to a glut in some sectors and thereby to falling export
prices. Third, competition from China and Mexico put some moderate pressure on Asian
exporters, especially in certain activities, such as textiles.5
The combination of these factors may
have raised some concerns as to the long-term competitiveness of Asian exporters. In turn,
slower export growth may have created concerns on the part of creditors about future growth
prospects and the ability of Asian firms to continue to service their debts. However, export
slowdown was hardly large enough to cause a significant economic collapse.