At least 4,000 jobs could be lost in the North's textile industry over the next four years, according to a report published yesterday.

The 18,000 jobs in the textile and clothing industry are predicted to fall to 13,500 by 2006, even if recommendations contained in the report by international business consultants Kurt Salmon Associates (KSA) are implemented.

The action plan does not say how many jobs will be lost if the additional £119 million sterling (€188 million) investment called for is not forthcoming. With increased investment, turnover in the sector could rise by up to 19 per cent by 2006, the report said.

In the last four years, 5,000 jobs have been shed in the textile and apparel sector as former customers have increasingly looked to overseas' suppliers to source their products.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, welcomed the "sustainable growth" study as a blueprint for the North's textile and clothing companies.

"It shows clearly that the regrettable decline of the industry can be halted and reversed if the companies are prepared to explore opportunities in growth subsectors," he said.

Merchandising, brand management, design, supply chain management and information technology would all be targeted by new investment, says the report.

Chairman of the Northern Ireland Textiles and Apparel Association, Mr Bill Walker, accepted that further job losses in the sector were inevitable but welcomed the report's recommendations.

Meanwhile, 154 jobs will be created in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, as part of a £14 million sterling expansion by Canadian owned C-Mac Network Systems.

Sir Reg said the investment represented a significant expression of confidence in the North by a major player in the telecommunications contract manufacturing sector.