Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal along with Hon'ble Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Government of Canada, will co-chair the discussions for the sixth India- Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) today in Ottawa. MDTI is a bilateral mechanism which provides institutional mechanism to discuss a broad spectrum of trade and investment related issues and cooperation areas. The Dialogue will focus on various themes including strengthening the Bilateral Trade Relationship between India and Canada, Investment Promotion and Cooperation, Green Transition – including Critical Minerals discussion and new Areas of Cooperation such as promoting B2B engagements. The Ministers will also review India-Canada CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiations. At the last MDTI meeting in March 2022, both Ministers launched the CEPA negotiations with a possibility to have an interim agreement or EPTA (Early Progress Trade Agreement). Since then, seven rounds of negotiations have been held. The Minister will also be visiting Toronto from 9th to 10th May 2023, where he will have various engagements to promote trade & investment. These engagements will include meetings with CEOs of key Canadian companies, Round Table of Indian and Canadian CEOs, interaction with Canadian and Indian companies based in Canada and Financial Sector Round table etc. The Minister would be accompanied by a delegation of Indian CEOs led by FICCI. The Minister will inaugurate the Indian Pavilion at SIAL CANADA-2023, which is the largest food innovation trade show in North America with participation of more than 1000 national & international exhibitors from 50 countries. The event will address the needs of the retail, food service & food processing industries. At SIAL Canada, Indian business participation consists of delegation from Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). There will also be a Trade and Investment Promotion Event for the Agricultural and Food Processing sector with Indian companies and Canadian importers on the sidelines of SIAL-2023. This event is likely to be attended by 200 companies.
The visit is expected to impart further momentum to bilateral trade and investment relations.
Source: PIB
Addressing an event in Delhi Union Commerce and Industry, Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the times ahead are going to be very, very tough. The situation is only deteriorating from what we saw as happened today in the Ukraine-Russia war, it’s going to be very, very challenging in the months and years ahead of us. But tough times are the time when people with mettle show their capabilities. Though he expressed confidence that exports by 2030 would reach US $ 2 trillion. Insisting on collaborative efforts the minister said that “Let us all work together to ensure that we will show the pathway to the rest of the world and towards that trading beyond boundaries, trading to newer markets, and trading in newer products produced in India for the world. Serving from India to the world economies, to developed economies, exploring new markets and opportunities, diversifying our export basket, encouraging collaborations and investment both into the country and internationally, and becoming globally more competitive.”
Source: Apparel Resources
Chance to explore more in ‘The heart of Incredible India’ — Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) is planning to train artisans of Chanderi, Maheshwar, Bagh and Unchehara in soft skills and hospitality, as the board has shortlisted these regions to develop “Textile and craft tourism”. In the first phase, weavers of Pranpur village in Chanderi tehsil of Ashoknagar district will be trained to add value to locally made products, enhance marketing skills and to host guests in home stays. In Pranpur village, around 240 weavers have given consents to MPTB to engage in soft skill training and renovate houses with artistic pictures and crafts. The project in collaboration with the development commissioner handlooms under ministry of textiles for development is aimed at attracting tourists to artistically rich places in the state known for its art and crafts. MPTB principal secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla said, “We have planned development in these regions in a phased manner because the whole idea is to develop a trail for tourists to the rich textile heritage of the state.” The development work at Pranpur has started and the board plans to complete the development by the second quarter of the fiscal year 2023. The walls of the weaver’s houses will be painted and decorated with crafts and art work. An official from the MPTB said, “The construction of an artistically designed entrance gate at Pranpur village has started and from next we plan to start construction of the cafeteria. Locally sourced stones and materials are used for revamping the structures and construction.” The board has received a grant of around Rs 7.45 crore from the Development Commissioner Handlooms for developing “Craft Handloom Tourism Village” in Pranpur village. In the next phases of the textile tourism project, work will be taken up in Maheshwar, Bagh and Unchehara. Home Makers of High Fashion, Karnataka's Skilled Garment Work.
Source: Times of India
The textile industry is one of the oldest and most prominent industries in India. It has a plethora of advantages, such as the ready availability of raw materials, a vast manufacturing base, a wide range of innovative products, and a burgeoning demand from both domestic and international consumers. India has already established itself as a market leader in several industry segments, such as silk, cotton, and jute production, further solidifying its position as a prominent player in the global textile arena. The industry has a rich history and has been a significant contributor to India’s economy for centuries. Over the years, the industry has grown and evolved, and today, it is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country. Growth Rate With a robust market value of over US$ 100 billion, the Indian textile and apparel industry is a powerhouse, employing over 45 million people and making up 14% of the nation’s industrial output. According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Indian textile industry is expected to hit US$ 250 billion production by FY25, rising at 12% CAGR between FY22-FY25. Exports are projected to reach US$ 185 billion by FY25, doubling India’s share of global textile trade to 10%. Growth would be driven by demographics, rising demand for lifestyle products, and the spread of e-retailing/organized retailing in smaller towns/rural areas. The industry growth will create jobs and generate value, attracting US$ 180 billion in investments. The Global Leader India has established itself as a global leader in producing several textile products, such as being the second-largest producer of silk, cotton, and Multimode Fibre (MMF). The country also holds the distinction of being the world leader in jute production, accounting for nearly 70% of global production. Moreover, India boasts the second largest vertically integrated production base after China, giving it a competitive edge with a strong manufacturing base across the value chain and a vast raw material base. The value chain encompasses weaving, spinning, garmenting, and processing, further strengthening its leadership position in the global textile industry. The Growth Drivers The Indian textile industry is highly competitive, with a vast network of small and large manufacturers, exporters, and traders. The sector has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, owing to favorable government policies and increasing demand for Indian textiles globally. The industry has also received a boost from the ‘Make in India,’ “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” and Performance Linked Incentives (PLI) initiatives, which aim to promote domestic manufacturing and boost exports. The industry’s growth can be attributed to several factors, including the availability of affordable labour, a large consumer base, favorable government policies, and very innovative entrepreneurs. Additionally, India’s skilled workforce and technological advancements have enabled the country to produce high-quality textiles that meet global standards. India’s textile and garment exports have been growing at a steady pace, making it one of the leading textile exporters in the world. The industry exports a wide range of products, including cotton textiles, yarn, fabrics, and readymade garments. The United States, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom are the largest export destinations for Indian textiles. The Indian government has taken several steps to support the textile industry’s growth and development. The government has implemented several schemes and initiatives, such as the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), which provides financial assistance to textile units for the modernization and upgradation of technology. Additionally, the government has introduced schemes to promote the use of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool, which has helped boost the demand for Indian textiles. Dominance in Exports According to Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) during the period Apr-Mar 2021- 22 apparel sector, with its share of approx. 4.4% of the total exports, was been able to make a decent contribution. Indian textiles and apparel exports are primarily focused on the USA, European Union, Asia, and the Middle East markets. For knitted garments, the USA has the largest share of 26.3%, followed by UAE at 14.5%, and the UK at 9.6%, according to AEPC. In FY22, the US was the top export destination with 27% of textile exports, followed by the EU at 18%, and Bangladesh at 12%. Promoting ‘Brand India’ India boasts of an abundance of raw materials including cotton, jute, silk, and wool, which are the largest in the world. This is supported by the world’s second-largest spinning and weaving capacity, offering the industry an exceptional opportunity for a domestic value addition of up to 95%. India’s products are renowned for their sustainability and adherence to social and environmental compliances, in line with the import requirements of respective countries. The industry is committed to promoting the “Brand India” on multiple global platforms, highlighting its strengths in sustainability, circularity, ethical sourcing, and manufacturing, labour standards, and empowering women through employment. These efforts reflect the industry’s unwavering commitment to showcasing India’s potential to the world. Over the years India has created a robust textile ecosystem from fiber to fashion including manufacturers, trims and accessories players, dyes and chemical units, machine manufacturers, tech startups, designers, buying agents, exporters, MSME units, brands, and fashion institutes from across the country all under one roof. On the other hand, the export opportunities have also been enhanced via the signing of various Free Trade Agreements with important trade partners for India including UAE, Australia, the UK, and others. In a nutshell, the Indian textile industry is a crucial contributor to the country’s economy and has been growing rapidly in recent years. With favorable government policies, a skilled workforce, and technological advancements, the industry is poised for continued growth and success. The sector has the potential to create more employment opportunities and boost the country’s exports, making it a vital industry for India’s economic growth.
Source: Times of India
• India's economy is resilient, with record GST collection and a healthy manufacturing PMI. • However, the textile and apparel industry faces weaker sentiments due to global concerns, domestic lifestyle changes, and slower export demand. • Industry insiders blame costlier Indian cotton and limited domestic purchasing capacity for the sector's struggles. India is seen as a bright spot amid the gloomy global economy, with two major indicators confirming resilient economic growth. The country's GST collection reached a new high of ₹1.87 lakh crore, and its manufacturing PMI climbed to 57.2, indicating healthy manufacturing activity. However, India's textile and apparel (T&A) industry is experiencing weaker sentiments. Industry experts attribute this to global concerns and other factors, leading to slower demand in the textile sector. “It is really a mystery. No one has a clear understanding of the sustained low demand. However, Russia-Ukraine war, high global inflation and changes in the domestic lifestyle may be responsible for the present sluggish scenario in the sector,” Sanjay Jain, managing director of TT Limited and former chairman of Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) told Fibre2Fashion. Ashish Gujarati, former President of South Gujarat Chamber of commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has said that higher compliance in various industries could be the reason for record GST collection. The new tax regime pushed industry hard through strict provisions to pay tax on their business. He said that better PMI shows good state of Indian manufacturing activities. However, slower export demand is causing weak sentiments in the textile industry. Domestic demand can support the textile value chain, but it has certain limitation. Despite high economic growth and prosperity in the country, consumers have limited purchasing capacity which is detrimental for textile and apparel industry. Ravi Sam, chairman, Southern India Mills Association (SIMA), said that India in terms of exports and manufacturing activities, is doing well. But the textile industry is reeling under long drawn recession due to sluggish demand for textiles and clothing products. He also blamed costlier Indian cotton for the present sluggish demand. He explained that 11 per cent import duty is applicable on cotton fibre. Domestic prices of the fibre compete with the cost of imported supplies which supported domestic prices at a higher level. Indian cotton is traded 10-13 per cent higher than the global prices. Therefore, Indian exports became uncompetitive in the global market. Indian exports dropped around 23 per cent during last year. Apart from industry bodies, trade community also feels the disparity of Indian cotton and global slowdown is responsible for slower demand. Gulshan Kumar Jain, a trader from Ludhiana, said, “India has 30-40 per cent additional capacity in textile sector which can be absorbed by only export demand. While Indian exports have become uncompetitive due to costlier cotton. Global challenges are also a cause for concern for the industry.” Another trader from the Delhi market said that some other sectors might be performing better in domestic industries, driving GST collection and PMI. However, the textile sector faces challenges on both domestic and global fronts. The Indian textile industry is more dependent on export demand compared to other industries.
Source: Fibre2 Fashion
The Union minister was speaking at FICCI Frames 2023 conference Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Textiles and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal lauded the media & entertainment industry for its commitment to take Indian cinema on the global map. Speaking at FICCI Frames 2023, the minister said that the government is supportive to all the efforts by the media and entertainment industry to expand the frontiers of the sector globally and reach the remotest corners of the world. According to Goyal, the media and entertainment industry can disseminate the message to the world that India is on the pathway to become a developed nation by 2047. He also said that India, as the fastest growing economy of the world along with an unparalleled talent and skill base at a very competitive price, offers unmatched opportunities for economic development and business growth to the world. The minister appreciated the industry for efficiently adopting modern technologies and cited the example of widespread use of smartphones as cameras. He said that the media & entertainment industry will grow by leaps and bounds with the emergence of digital platforms. Goyal lauded the Indian VFX companies involved in Hollywood movies like Avatar. He said that startups are contributing to the growth of this sector significantly. The minister noted that the media and entertainment industry can showcase to the world, the new India of today and boost the economy, helping the country reach a new audience, influencing opinions and spreading positivity. This positivity encourages people, government and businesses to be more aspirational and look at the future with greater hope demanding better lifestyles and better business opportunities, he shared. Goyal said that the media and entertainment industry is the cultural ambassadors of India and have given a unique identity to India. He highlighted that the sector has a huge potential to connect people, businesses and nations, leading to a better understanding and appreciation of different cultures and conditions across the world. The minister said that the world is also appreciating Indian art and culture and the recent Oscar awards for the 'Naatu-Naatu' song and the 'Elephant Whisperers' showcase this global appreciation. These awards helped India convey a social message that sustainability is at the core of Indian culture and tradition. Goyal noted that the theme 'inspire, innovate and immerse' is relevant to the current times as it reflects the vibrancy demonstrated by the media and entertainment industry. He said that the theme also resonates with the belief that creativity can indeed enhance commerce. He said that the industry acts as a key pillar of India's cultural identity and cultural heritage. The Minister said that every artist can dream and every dreamer can succeed in New India and urged the media and entertainment industry to build an industry which entertains, empowers, enlightens and inspires the whole nation.
Source: Exchange 4 Media
For the third time, the Fabrics, Accessories & Beyond trade show (FAB 2023) took place in Mumbai from 26th to 28th April 2023 and generated about 20 billion rupees (around 194 million British pounds / almost 245 million US dollars) in business. The fair is organised twice a year by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and took place alongside the CMAI’s Vendor Sourcing Fair (VSF 2023). More than 12,000 visitors came to the show over the course of three days, among them international buyers and representatives of brands such as Amazon, Anita Dongre, Jack & Jones, Killer, Lifestyle, Max, Myntra, Raymond, Nykaa, Pantaloons, Pepe Jeans, Shoppers Stop and Westside. On the exhibitors’ side, there were about 166 fabric exhibitors, including Arvind, Grasim Industries, Jindal Worldwide, Topman International and the School of Fashion Technology (SOFT). More than 30 exhibitors covered the accessories and beyond part of the fair, and about 44 exhibitors took part in the Vendor Sourcing Fair, which was held in a separate hall. Stiff competition Despite busy halls and an overall satisfactory turnout, the footfall could have been better but was influenced by one big competitor: With India’s wedding season drawing to a close before the start of the monsoon, quite a few potential visitors decided to forego the event and don festive wear instead of business attire. “There will be more attendance during the later show, which also features more of womenswear. The April show focuses more on menswear,” said one attendee who wanted to remain anonymous when talking to FashionUnited. Manish Kapoor, CEO of Pepe Jeans, echoed this sentiment, expecting the denim sector to pick up once the Indian summer in May/June draws to a close: “Summer will be very promotional with growth driven by price and little volume growth. Volume growth is expected to come in from mid second quarter.” hile innovation and sustainability were prominent themes at the booth displays, with the latest in techniques and fabrics presented, going back to the roots and India’s long textile history was also of importance. Traditional dyeing arts were on display as well as the history and future of fashion. “Consumer preference for sustainable and on-trend products is also seeing a positive trend. We are expecting a 15-18 percent growth during the festive season,” confirmed Kapoor. Compared to the second edition of the show, which took place in September 2022, the organisers decided to change the smaller theme pavilions by region and fabric type in favour of one centralised hall. The venue shift from Jio World Convention Center at busy Bandra Kurla Complex to Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon East also worked out as visitors could take advantage of the recently expanded metro line to reach the venue. Though largely an event that caters to India’s domestic apparel brands and regional markets, according to official accounts, international buyers from Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, UAE and UK also attended and the opening was witnessed by members of the International Apparel Federation’s board of directors representing the Taiwanese Textile Federation, Europe, Turkey and Bangladesh. Outlook While the growth of the textile and garment industry post-pandemic has been minimal and in-line with India’s GDP growth rate of about 7 percent, the industry also had to contend with an increase in cotton yarn prices of almost 50 percent. This has led to garment manufacturers and retailers increase prices by 15-20 percent, which in turn caused slower demand especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. “The overall garment retail segment in India is estimated to be 8 trillion rupees [about 98 billion US dollars/77 billion British pounds]. Over the years, the garment segment, which grew 18 percent in the last year, has seen a significant consumer shift towards branded apparel with online buying picking up pace. The garment industry is hopeful of the upcoming festive and wedding season and is expecting healthy growth for apparel, especially occasion wear, this year,” commented CMAI president Rajesh Masand.
Source: Fashion United
Elections do not excite them as successive governments have robbed them of a chance to make a good living. While many have left this line of work, companies do not care as they can always find replacements among migrants. The pavement on a small stretch somewhere on Mysuru Road suddenly comes abuzz as the clock strikes five. Vegetable vendors switch on the megaphones atop their yellow three-wheeler pickups to blare out prices. A couple of private security personnel push the factory gates open. On the other side of the gates, a battalion of workers – largely women – queues up impatiently for their turn to be frisked and have their bags checked before they can step out. The evening has brought to close yet another eight-hour shift for these women and men who form the skilled workforce at garment-making units in Bengaluru, Karnataka. As they troop out, many of the women flock to the vendors to fill up polythene bags with tomatoes, potatoes, onions and greens. Apart from the pickups, there are scores of young men and women, some still in their teens, squatting on the pavements. Most of them are from the families of garment workers, out here to add to the household income. The workers who are from other states have to quickly complete shopping lest they miss the company bus that will cart them back to their hostels. The local workers don’t have much time either: They will need to return to their rented quarters to start preparing dinner for their families and help the children with their studies. Some linger around to socialise with colleagues – between their eight-hour shifts and endless household chores, these are the few minutes to call their own. Gradually, some of the vegetable shoppers join them. Most of them are unimpressed at the prices they have just shelled out. The conversations turn towards how difficult it has become to make ends meet. High inflation, like in most places in India and among most sections of the society, is a cause of concern here too. But for garment workers, it is not just about the monthly household budget going haywire. In the absence of a decent wage, it is increasingly becoming more about scraping the bottom. Low wage has been a persistent problem. Now, it has started to wean the local workforce away from this once-popular source of employment. The companies are not worried as there are always enough workers from other states willing to take their place. Garment manufacture, along with three other related sectors – textiles, silk, and dyeing and printing – has been suffering a persistent wage disparity. Barring these four, all of Karnataka’s 82 scheduled employment opportunities guarantee minimum wages of Rs 551-651 per day, depending on the level of skill involved. A skilled garment worker, on the other hand, can make only Rs 441 for an eight-hour shift. This totals to Rs 11,466 for a usual, 26-workday month. “That’s just not enough to run a household,” says 48-year-old Jayalakshmi*. “The rent itself is Rs 6,000-7,000 a month. A cylinder of cooking gas costs about Rs 1,200. Groceries are much dearer as are bus fares. Then there are the tuition fees for the children,” she explains. Highly skilled garment workers like her are entrusted with complex tasks such as attaching collars to button-down shirts – shirts that would typically retail for Rs 5,000- Rs6,000. That is half a month’s salary for Jayalakshmi. ‘Waging’ a long battle Disputes regarding wages are nothing new for the sector. Their grievance goes back more than a decade. A section of the workers feels that the government has simply stopped caring for them and is serving the interests of the business owners instead. As a result, they seem aloof about the ongoing electoral process. In 2010, government led by B.S. Yediyurappa withdrew its own notification on minimum wages for the garments (officially known as tailoring) sector, citing a clerical error, and followed it up with a reduced figure. Trade unions took the government to court but it took all of 2014 to solve the matter and fix a floor wage (Rs 220 per day for unskilled workers). Problems cropped up again when the government of Karnataka notified revised minimum wages to be effective from January 1, 2018. The list of 37 sectors did not include the garment sector, but featured allied sectors like textiles and silk, as well as dyeing and printing of clothes. On February 22, 2018, the state government issued a draft, notifying a minimum wage of Rs 445.69 for the garment sector. Meanwhile, industry representatives started lobbying with the government to reduce the proposed minimum wage. In March 2018, Shahi Exports – India’s largest garment manufacturer – wrote to the government, seeking: 1. That the proposed wages be withdrawn and 2. That all four “integrated and similar activity”, viz Tailoring, Dyeing and Printing, Textiles and Silk, be kept on a par. The government succumbed and withdrew the draft notification exactly a month after putting it forth, along with the notifications for the three other sectors, setting the stage for another legal battle. The trade unions moved the Karnataka high court and a single-judge bench first stayed the notification with the condition that workers of the three sectors for whom the floor wage was already notified be paid 75% of what was promised. In 2019, it passed an order directing that the remaining 25% be paid too, along with a 6% interest. The state government, meanwhile, on October 31, 2019, notified a new minimum wage for the sector at Rs 341.94 – significantly lower than the original Rs 445.69. This was later held by the high court as “inoperative”. In 2020, the Karnataka Chief Justice’s bench ordered the government to honour the draft for the tailoring sector as well and form a committee as laid down by the Minimum Wages Act. The Clothing Manufacturers’ Association of India (Karnataka chapter) and the state Textile Mills Association moved the Supreme Court, but their plea was rejected. They then appealed to the HC to reconsider its decision. This time, the court asked the government to discuss wages with all stakeholders and arrive at a decision. The state convened two meetings but failed to create a consensus. All the same, it went ahead and notified a new floor wage on January 23, 2023 at Rs 401.07, along with a dearness allowance of Rs 19.61, without the workers’ representatives being on board the decision. “Earlier in January, we requested labour minister A.S. Hebbar to raise the wages as directed by the high court, but he said he could not,” said Jayaram K.R., joint secretary of Garments and Textiles Workers Union. The industry lobby is too powerful – they even threatened to shift production away from the state if the minimum wage was further raised, he alleged. Jayaram cited the the basic minimum pay of the ceramics sector which was fixed at Rs 615.09 last year to point out that the garment workers in the state receive a raw deal. A lack of political muscle For Jayamma* and her colleagues, meanwhile, the reality gets bleaker by the day. Most of the 5-7 lakh workers in Karnataka are single earners for their families. At best, another family member tries to supplement the income, like the vegetable sellers outside the factory gate. Some 40-50 lakh voters – almost every 10th voter – in the state would be directly or indirectly dependent on a garment sector worker, Jayaram estimated. Even leaving a margin for over-estimation, that should have translated to a considerable political clout. But it hasn’t. “We live and work here now, but most of us are from other districts like Mysuru, Channapatna, Hassan, etc,” points out Jayalakshmi’s colleague Saraswathi*. While many of the workers plan to cast their votes come May 10, they will be scattered across many of Karnataka’s 224 assembly constituencies. This dispersal of the garment workers’ votes has ensured that the workers – almost 80% of whom are women – never become a strong voting group who can negotiate their interests. The industry, on the other hand, has much more heft. Shahi Exports, the largest player, alone has over 50 factories in nine Indian states that are estimated to employ more than 1.1 lakh workers. Though the lion’s share is in Karnataka, the company retains the edge of being able to move work away to other states. Gokaldas Exports Ltd also has more than 20 units and 32,000 employees. Other players include Arvind Ltd, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail, Pearl Global Industries Ltd, etc. Between them, they cater to the who’s who of fashion brands: GAP, M&S, Victoria’s Secret, PVH Corp (that houses Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein), Columbia Sportswear, H&M, Walmart, C&A, Nike, Adidas, Puma and even new-generation fast fashion darling Zara. The export dollars help the industry regularly get its way with the state. There are 800- 1,000 manufacturing units like the one in which Jayalakshmi works, with a combined turnover estimated at Rs 25,000-30,000 crore from exports and branded garments. It is something that a state with a budget outlay of around Rs 3 lakh crore cannot take for granted, just as it cannot take for overlook the huge volume of employment generated. The staffing pattern has started to change though. Karnataka’s women garment workers have, over the years, silently but deftly established their stamp of quality. But of late, there has been an increase in workers from the north and the east. “They tend to work for lower wages than locals,” Jayaram says. Being thousands of kilometres away from home, they are also not in a position to take a stand against harassment and production pressure from the management. Workers from the state, on the other hand, are more conscious of their rights. In 2018, they took on the Shahi management for physical assault and verbal abuse, including sexist and casteist slurs. The matter was probed by United States-based monitoring organisation Worker Rights Consortium. The lack of work during the COVID-19 pandemic led several workers to other sectors, some of which turned out to be more lucrative: An unskilled housekeeper or mall attendant now makes Rs 14,000-15,000 in Bengaluru – 30% more than a skilled garment worker. “During the lockdown, nobody came to help us out. Now they come to seek votes,” says Revathi,* outside the factory gate. Not surprising then that elections do not excite Jayalakshmi and her colleagues any more. Voting is just another chore for them. The outgoing government has left them more wary. “The cost of everything has gone up, the government has made more money but what did we get?” asks Saraswathi.* Revathi points out that bus passes for workers were withdrawn; she is afraid that fares will shoot up once the elections are over. “There are also talks of 12-hour workdays. That will be extremely bad for us. Already, there are days when we have to stay back overtime – even for five-six hours,” alleges Varalakshmi.* They have not completely lost hope, though. They hope the new government is more sensitive to their needs. Their demands are simple: • No unbridled rise in living costs (rents, power, water), • Prices of daily essentials be within reach, • Cheaper bus fares and reinstating of bus passes, • Affordable and quality education for children, • Better civic amenities in the areas they live in. And, of course, a more decent wage that recognises their skill, hard work as well as the repute and dollars they bring to the state.
Source: The Wire
It’s no secret that China, the ‘World’s factory’, has been the powerhouse when it comes to manufacturing for quite a while. However, with the pandemic-induced supply-chain disruptions, we have witnessed major economies look beyond China for their manufacturing requirements to diversify their supply chains This along with the growing geo-political tensions and trade wars has only enhanced this movement. China’s current position poses a silver lining for India to further fuel its manufacturing ambitions through a more strategic lens. India is now on the cusp of monumental changes, with overall capacity-building measures deployed by the incumbent government. Thousands of Indian start-ups have been on a fast track to growth even across competitive industries owing to the favourable business environment. Data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry revealed that India received USD 81.72 billion in Foreign Direct Investment during FY 20-21, which amounts to an additional 10 per cent compared to the previous year’s stats. This further substantiates the increasing support India is garnering as a potential alternative to diversifying supply chains from China. While India’s overdependence on China for imports had been a concern for years, this strategy is allowing India to expand its trade relationships with other countries like the United States, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, and Kuwait. Additionally, India's exports have grown in terms of value and volume as per a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative. A deeper dive into the benefits of China plus one strategy indicates the following highlights. Increased Global Competitiveness The stakes in finding a nation that is best equipped to propel the global economy have received more attention in recent years. Under these circumstances, India’s positioning as the country that can bridge the gaps between East and West holds solid ground. The sheer size of our nation, domestic demand and the potential offered by our young population support the country’s overall competitiveness in becoming a stronger and more developed economy. Factories on the rise ‘China plus one’ has also provided a much-needed boost to India’s efforts in building the manufacturing sector. With the massive inrush of companies looking to set up manufacturing facilities in India, or investing in the growth of the sector, the country is experiencing an increase in production and exports. Companies such as Samsung, Foxconn, Wistron, and Apple have relocated part of their manufacturing operations to India in their efforts to diversify their supply chains. Here are some insights into some of the key industries in India making their mark- • Steel- China’s efforts to reduce overcapacity in the steel sector have led to a reduction in Chinese steel exports. This has created opportunities for Indian companies like Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and Jindal Steel and Power to increase their production and exports. • Textile- In June 2022, the US imposed a ban on cotton and cotton products originating from the Xinjiang region of China due to alleged human rights violations and forced labour practices in the region. With the unrelated event of the ‘China plus one’ policy, Indian companies like Welspun India, Vardhman Textiles, and Raymond, along with other homegrown brands have increased their exports and benefited across textile segments, ranging from readymade garments, cotton yarn and home textiles. • Chemical- Over the last three decades, China has been the most dominant player in the global chemicals industry. Low labour costs and relaxed environmental norms may have led to this unparalleled success. In the current scenario, China’s efforts to reduce pollution and enforce environmental regulations have resulted in the closure of many chemical plants. This has created opportunities for other countries, including India, to emerge as strong players and re-establish their position in the chemicals space. • Pharmaceuticals- India is the largest supplier of generic drugs globally, and the pharmaceutical sector has seen a boost in investment and exports as a result of the ‘China plus one’ strategy. Global pharma giants like Pfizer, Novartis, and Sanofi have expanded their manufacturing operations in India. • Automotive- Our country is the fifth-largest producer of automobiles globally, with a production of 157 million units In December last year. India's low-cost manufacturing and skilled labour force make it an attractive destination for automotive manufacturing. Companies like General Motors, Ford, and Hyundai, are increasing their investment in India to diversify their supply chains. India is expected to rank as a leader in shared mobility by 2030, providing an estimated 5 crore job opportunities. Changing Employment Patterns Through government initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Startup India’, the government is also keen on helping the young population of the country to think differently and move away from the same old 9-5 mentality. Additionally, we’ve also seen many government incentives for specific sectors already reaping results. Home to much of India’s population, the workforce from rural areas is also looking for better opportunities in skill and service-oriented industries rather than resorting to manual labour. China is a full-fledged superpower that has begun to show signs of maturing, whereas India is pushing the pedal to hasten its growth story. With global economies striving to strike a balance between globalisation and localisation, India finds itself in a sweet spot. The ‘China plus one’ policy has been a promising one that benefits countries including India by creating opportunities for diversification and growth in industries that were previously dominated by China. While only time will tell if India achieves its full potential, the opportunity is there and it is up to us to navigate the global headwinds and make the most of it.
Source: DSIJ
As part of the transaction, ABFRL will make a conditional open offer to acquire up to 29% stake at Rs 503 per share from public shareholders and acquire the remaining stake from the founder promoters to reach an overall shareholding of 51% in TCNS. Aditya Birla Fashion said it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire 51% stake in TCNS Clothing, owner of the listed women’s branded apparel retailer that owns brands such as W, Elleven and Aurelia, for Rs1650 crore. As part of the transaction, ABFRL will make a conditional open offer to acquire up to 29% stake at Rs 503 per share from public shareholders and acquire the remaining stake from the founder promoters to reach an overall shareholding of 51% in TCNS. Post the deal, TCNS will be amalgamated with ABFRL under the merger scheme where public shareholders of TCNS will receive 11 shares of ABFRL for every six shares that they hold in TCNS. “This deal is yet another marker of the Aditya Birla Group’s faith in the dynamism and buoyancy of the Indian consumer economy. The TCNS deal is indeed a significant milestone as it complements our existing portfolio of exceptional brands across the entire spectrum of Indian fashion. By embracing TCNS's portfolio of loved women’s ethnic brands, we are reinforcing our commitment to ethnic wear, the largest category in the apparel industry," Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said. With this acquisition ABFRL’s ethnic wear portfolio is expected to reach Rs 5000 crore in the next three years. TCNS had sales of Rs896 crore during FY22. “TCNS has been a pioneer in branded women’s ethnic wear market in the country. The market continues to offer longterm growth opportunities and our partnership with ABFRL will help us fully realize this potential. ABFRL’s proven brand- building capability, distribution strength and strong ecosystem of partners will help our brands into its next phase of growth and profitability," said Anant Daga, Managing Director of TCNS. About seven years ago, the Aditya Birla Group restructured its retail business by carving out the apparel-making Madura Fashion and Lifestyle division from Aditya Birla Nuvo (ABNL) and merging it with listed loss-making Pantaloon. This created Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail (ABFRL), the country's largest listed branded apparel company, with annual sales of Rs 8,136 crore. The company has segmented its business into six subcategories — lifestyle, Pantaloon, athleisure, youth fashion, super premium and ethnic. However, most brands are focused on western style clothing, a segment significantly smaller than the overall women's ethnic wear in the mass market. The company's lifestyle division runs nearly 3,200 stores for brands including Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England. In addition, department store chain Pantaloons has another 396 stores, while the company also runs women's fashion brand Forever21. In the ethnic segment, the company acquired Jaypore, a premium craft-based artisanal brand, and also invested in designer brands Shantanu & Nikhil, Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi and Masaba. The company also bought the India business of global sportswear brand Reebok a year ago, and has long-term exclusive partnerships with brands such as Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, Ted Baker, Fred Perry, Forever 21 and American Eagle.
Source: Economic Times
In a candid conversation with Apparel Resources (AR), Sagrika Jain, ED, Vardhman Textiles, shares about the company’s exclusive product offerings, marketing and sustainability initiatives and the road to future growth. Having spent three years in the yarn division and then an MBA from London Business School, Sagrika Jain, the fourth generation of Ludhiana-based textile conglomerate Vardhman Group, has recently taken charge as Executive Director of Vardhman Textiles Limited. Exactly three years ago, Apparel Resources (AR) interviewed her prior to her higher studies which was focused more on her personal performance and entrepreneurial bent but now as she is very much part of the management, this time in an exclusive discussion, she thoroughly shared the company’s strategy regarding product offerings, market and sustainability. And it is heartening to see how she is taking care of the company holistically, not only the business part but also the social reforming part. Sagrika is very well aware of the responsibility on her, so she is immersing herself in this business to become a catalyst to take it to the next level. AR: Vardhman has focused on moving from commodity to value-added product lines. Apart from regular products, the company has also ventured into products like travel shield range of fabrics, functional fibres to fit in the athleisure segment. What is the achievement in these segments and are you satisfied with the progress? What’s new in the pipeline in this direction? Sagrika: If we see the last few years, we have achieved remarkable progress. Before 2015, the company’s focus was on cotton and on bottoms. Then once we decided to increase capacities, we realised that to fuel this expansion, we had to diversify. We have successfully enriched our product basket to include value-added products and offer multi-blends including cellulosic, recycled and different varieties of polyesters, lots of functional fibres, nylon etc. From menswear and bottoms, we have pivoted and got tops, womenswear and kidswear in our fold. Fabric for product categories like activewear and outerwear is very much in our portfolio as well. We are happy to display variety and innovations in Textrum. To see the full gamut of products has been very encouraging and overwhelming in a very positive way. Though we have made good progress but as an entrepreneur, I think one can never be satisfied with the progress because some form of dissatisfaction keeps allowing you to grow further. So, our strong innovation cell and raw material research department is constantly on the lookout for new, advanced materials, keeping factors such as overall demand and interest of our buyers, commercial scalability in mind. Moving forward, regarding the product portfolio, some of the major developments are in progress and we will disclose details about them at the right time. AR: What is your assessment of Vardhman Textiles’ fulfilment of responsibility in the context of sustainability given that sustainability is a pervasive phenomenon and the textile industry is widely regarded as one of the most polluted industries. Sagrika: Sustainability has been in our DNA even before it became fashionable. And for us, sustainability does not just mean sustainable products or sustainable processes, it means sustainability in the true sense covering all aspects. Right from selecting machines and raw materials, our focus is on sustainability, so every decision in the company has been taken in light of this. All systems are in place for the same, be it ZLD, solar power etc. Our Higg index score is 80-plus which is in the top bracket. A lot of our collections are built keeping sustainability at the core. Recently, we set up a cotton recycling plant, Vardhman ReNova for processing post-industrial waste. Even if any initiative or project needs some extra capital due to the sustainable aspects, the company ventures into that project without any hesitation. Similarly, on the social sustainability front, we are very proud of our achievements. We have now reached a female workforce of about 40 per cent at the worker level, Vardhman is among the pioneers when it comes to hiring women for night shift and we have certain facilities which are 100 per cent women-led. We are very clear that we need more women workers because if you look at our social construct also, women are in a ratio of almost 50:50. This should reflect in work as well. We have to be the leaders in society in this regard. We are also quite open to conversations about diversity, inclusion and equity. And we focus on inclusion hiring women from multiple underprivileged societies. Another interesting initiative is our PACE program in collaboration with GAP where we have covered 2000 women already. The program focuses on holistic advancement of women by covering essential aspects such as health and hygiene, decision-making, problem-solving, financial literacy etc. Our CSR arm is running a very successful project on menstrual health management called Project Nandini which not only includes hardware such as vending and disposable machines, but also software such as mindset shift and awareness. So far we have covered 25,000 women under this project and have plans to continue expanding. Overall things are taking shape more aggressively and we are also in touch with experts. In future, our efforts and thrust will increase for sustainability and it will always be the centre piece for us. AR: Data digitisation also has been your priority area. How has it helped you so far and what’s next on your radar? Sagrika: Interestingly, 90 per cent of the data that is generated is not used and there is no doubt that what can’t be measured can’t be improved. And I am content to say that we are a very data-centric organisation. The major decisions we take are based on data analysis. It is helping us not just in monitoring, but also taking important decisions and this leads to more productivity. Data usage also creates comfort amongst our professionals as with the help of data, things are more transparent and traditional reporting has been reduced. We are successfully using IoT in our Spinning and Weaving units, thus leading to reduction of maintenance costs. Digitalised sampling and developments helped us to reduce wastage and improve lead time. Moving forward, we are migrating to a more advanced ERP and also extending IoT to Processing. Natific’s Digital Colour Technology is another software we are using that has enabled digital colour matching. AR: Indian domestic market is growing well. What are your efforts to grow here and increase your share in the same? Sagrika: We have a mandate that at least 40 per cent of our sales needs to be purely domestic and we have a dedicated design and marketing team for the Indian market. Even in our Textrum event, we had a fantastic line-up of domestic brands and buying houses. The way big Indian players are growing in organised retail and international brands are constantly entering and flourishing in India, the domestic market will grow like anything. We are proud citizens of India and we believe in honourable Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ push. We have our eyes on emerging Indian brands and our efforts continue to grow along with them. Vardhman Group’s textiles operations are spread across 6 states including Punjab, Himachal, MP, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh. With around 1.13 million spindle count and Rs. 9622 crore revenue from operations in FY 2021-22, it has a strong hold on yarn, fabric, sewing thread and garments. AR: Going forward, do you want to carry forward the systems set by your family or do you have a different way of leadership and want to set your own standards in the business? What is the major difference in working style and thought process that you see between yourself and the previous generations of the group? Sagrika: The kind of legacy and the kind of immense respect that Vardhman has makes me feel very motivated to give more and to continue to add value. I am still getting inducted into the organisation and my journey has just begun. My endeavour is to first learn and appreciate what my previous generations have set, and then blend the old with the new. The systems that they have built up are very, very robust and I’m quite proud of them and this will always be my starting point. Following an open-door policy and listening to team and being accessible towards them have helped me go a long way because my teams are extremely supportive and they help me grow. In line with my generation, my thrust will be more towards a work-life balance. To give your best at work, your life needs to be wholesome. There is a real business case for it as happy employees are more productive. As an organisation we believe in manufacturing excellence. My goal would be to also pivot more towards fashion and market forces. I aim to marry our superior technical capabilities with innovation and design. Another change I would like to bring is in the area of diversity, inclusion and equity by having women representation at senior positions. This is the need of the hour and something that is close to my heart.
Source: Apparel Resources
• European road freight spot rates have fallen for the second consecutive quarter, dropping 7.5 points QoQ to 132.5 points. • The contract rates index has fallen by 2.8 points QoQ, the first fall in six quarters. • Falling demand from European economies has led to a decrease in demand-side pressure on spot market rates, continuing the downward trend in rates. Spot rates in the European road freight market have experienced their second consecutive quarter of decline, marking a significant shift since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The spot rates index fell by -7.5 points quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to 132.5 points. This is the first-time rates have fallen for two consecutive quarters since the second quarter (Q2) of 2020. Additionally, the spot market index had fallen below its Q2 2022 level, a time when costs rose following the war in Ukraine first became clear. Despite this, spot rates remain up by 8.9 points year-on-year (YoY), according to a report titled ‘The European Road Freight Rate Development Benchmark Q1 2023’ by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and Upply. The contract rates index has also fallen by 2.8 points QoQ, the first fall in six quarters, but it is still up 10.7 points YoY. With volumes slackening and available capacity improving, the downward trend in rates looks set to continue in 2023. Spot rates have declined 1.5 times faster than contract rates on average in Q1 2023. This comes as a result of falling demand from European economies, reducing the immediate demand-side pressure on spot market rates. Despite some easing of inflation and QoQ growth in seasonally adjusted monthly consumption figures in Spain at 1.0 per cent), France at 0.4 per cent, and the UK at 0.5 per cent, YoY figures reflect the ongoing impact of persistent inflation over the past 12 months. Average seasonally adjusted monthly consumption is down YoY by 6 per cent in Germany, 3.9 per cent in France, 2.8 per cent in Italy, and 4.3 per cent in the UK. As wage growth lags behind inflation, the cost-ofliving crisis worsens, reducing the appetite and ability to consume goods. This will further reduce demand-side pressure on road freight rates, allowing for further rate falls in both markets. “While it's typical for road freight rates to dip during Q1 after the holiday peak season, this year's drop is hitting harder than usual. The market appears to be recalibrating after experiencing a hefty double-digit surge in 2022, but how far will it go? It's doubtful that we'll return to pre-pandemic conditions, especially with capacity shortages remaining a major concern,” commented Thomas Larrieu, chief executive officer at Upply. Although fears of an energy crisis have subsided and energy prices have fallen, last year’s high prices continue to act as a drag on Europe’s industrial growth. Available Q1 2023 data from official sources reveal a decline in production in the UK by -0.5 per cent, Spain by 0.3 per cent, and Poland by -0.1 per cent, while production in France by 0.9 per cent and Germany by 0.5 per cent has grown. Inflation is eroding the demand for consumer goods, while demand for capital goods remains steady. High interest rates will likely deter major expansions in production in 2023, limiting the pressure on rates and allowing for further rate falls. “The stagnation in freight demand from Q4 2022 has continued into 2023, flattening the driver shortage curve—for now. But nothing has changed in the long-term outlook of the profession. The share of young drivers remains extremely low. Any jump in demand from European economies will further exacerbate the shortage of drivers, which in turn will limit economic growth. We can’t take our eye off the ball. We need to continue pushing for both immediate and structural solutions to driver shortages,” said IRU senior director for strategy and development Vincent Erard. Despite the easing of demand-side pressure, the supply pressures remain. A worsening driver shortage is eroding capacity, while fuel costs have fallen from their 2022 high, they remain elevated compared to 2021. The cost-of-living crisis across the continent is also increasing wage demands in 2023, resulting in labour costs increase. The likely result is further freight rate falls from falling demand. However, the size and scope of these falls will be limited by supply-side pressure that has created a higher cost base which will prevent freight rates from reaching historic lows, the report added. “In Q1 we saw contract rates started to follow spot rates in their drop off as predicted and we expect to see this trend continue downwards in Q2. As volumes dropped off in Q1 we saw a continuous increase in available capacity easing pressure on rates, but capacity remains constrained by driver shortages. The outlook is for rates to continue to fall in Q2, although seasonal demand will support higher rates in Q2. We expect rates to remain at a higher level than their pre-pandemic base,” said Michael Clover, Ti’s head of commercial development.
Source: Fibre 2 Fashion
Says ADB-Islamic Development Bank Institute report Despite some progress, Bangladesh has not been able to diversify its export basket compared to its competitors, leading to more concentration in the textiles sector, according to a new report. Compared to rivals, Bangladesh has emerged as the most concentrated in terms of exports, indicating a relatively high specialization toward specific products in the textile sector. Although there has been a tendency toward diversification in recent years, concentration was still higher in 2020 than in the early 2000s, said the "Bangladesh Global Value Chain Report: Transforming Participation in Trade and Global Value Chains", jointly published by the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank Institute. The report was launched at the InterContinental Dhaka yesterday. Bangladesh fell below the world average in terms of trade openness despite being the second-largest apparel exporter in the world. It lagged behind competitors such as Cambodia, India, Pakistan, and China. Thus, increasing international trading activities of the country's other sectors presents a viable option to attain further growth, according to the report. The United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have been the top destinations for Bangladesh's exports, with textile products dominating the trade. The list of top-recipient economies has still been the same regardless of whether the content of Bangladesh's exports was dominated by domestic or foreign value-added. The report stated that Bangladesh's global value chain (GVC) participation rate was relatively low, falling below the world average by around 20 percentage points. "Further, backward participation has also outweighed forward participation throughout the years, implying that Bangladesh is located at more downstream stages of the GVCs it participates in." From the value-added-based analysis, it is also seen that Bangladesh was more on par with its competitors like Cambodia and Pakistan in terms of export concentration. Even though the textiles sector still comprised a major share of value-added exports, a more balanced distribution was observed, with sectors such as agriculture, wholesale, post and telecommunications and finance making larger contributions to export production. For Bangladesh, along with its impending graduation from the grouping of the leastdeveloped countries (LDCs) in November 2026, comes the challenge of discontinuation of benefits granted by preferential trading schemes. With more favourable rules of origin being established in 2011 as part of the Everything but Arms agreement, a substantial increase in the European Union-based preference utilisation immediately followed. For example, textile products exported to the EU amounted to $17.3 billion in 2021. "Thus, a considerable amount of export-driven income is being threatened by the imminent erosion of preferences," the report said. As an alternative, the report suggested, Bangladesh can diversify its export destinations and expand market access by entering into new treaties such as regional trade agreements. Zaidi Sattar, chairman of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh, said since the second world war, trade has been the engine of global growth and global value chain growth. "Global value chain contributes to trade growth and trade growth is instrumental in the global economic growth. So, they are interlinked." He said the rule-based trade order helped generate income and spurred globalisation and dismantling barriers in trade gave the opportunity to create value chain integration. "But, now new terms such as reshoring, friend-shoring and strategic autonomy are emerging, leading to a fragmented globalisation. This is not good for the global value chain, global growth and international trade." It is also not good for Bangladesh, said Sattar, adding that Bangladesh has been a big beneficiary of international trade and global growth. The economist said the US-China trade tension is raising the cost of trade and the cost of production, forcing customers to pay higher prices for goods and services. "To survive and prosper, we need a regional value chain. It would be more cost-efficient than the global value chain, giving a greater efficiency dividend." According to Sattar, the challenge for diversification remains in Bangladesh and it is due to the tariff structure. "Tariffs are really hurting exports diversification and the overall economy, business and investment." He recommended the government take a 'leap of faith' in restructuring tariffs, paving the way for other sectors to grow like the garment sector. Prof Shamsul Alam, state minister for planning, and Edimon Ginting, country director of the ADB, also spoke.
Source: The Daily Star
There remains big potential for Việt Nam and Qatar to further develop relations, especially when the two nations are celebrating the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, Vietnamese Ambassador to Qatar Trần Đức Hùng told the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of Vice State President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân’s official visit to the Middle Eastern country. The two countries set up diplomatic relations on February 8, 1993. Việt Nam opened its embassy in Qatar in 2008, while Qatar opened its embassy in Hà Nội two years later. The bilateral relations have developed well, reflected through regular high-level visits and meetings. The two nations have signed 12 important cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding which have created a framework for bilateral collaboration. Bilateral trade has increased in recent years, ranging from US$400 million to $500 million, in which Việt Nam recorded a trade surplus. Việt Nam mainly exports mobile phones, electronic products and components, electric wires and cables, garments and textiles, aquatic products and rice to Qatar, while importing plastic raw materials, chemicals, machinery, equipment, and spare parts from the Middle Eastern country. Regarding labour cooperation, the two sides signed an agreement in this field in 2008. Since January 1, 2018, Qatar Airways has operated two direct routes to Hà Nội and HCM City and is studying to resume direct flights linking Doha with the Vietnamese central city of Đà Nẵng after the COVID-19 pandemic, which was opened in December 2018. In the fields of culture and education, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of education, higher education and scientific research on the occasion of Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani’s visit to Việt Nam in 2012. On December 8, 2020, in Hà Nội, the Vietnamese Ministry of Home Affairs and the Qatar Ministry of Culture and Sports inked a Memorandum of Understanding on the exchange of information between state management agencies on the youth, thus establishing a framework for youth-related cooperation programmes for the 2021 – 2025 period. According to the diplomat, trade, investment and tourism are potential areas in the relationship between the two countries. The export of Việt Nam’s strong products such as agricultural products, aquatic products, garments and textiles and footwear to Qatar is still at a modest level, so there will be much potential for growth in the future. As this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, the two countries will hold many celebrations. This will be an opportunity for people and businesses of the two countries to have more understanding about partners, thereby promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation activities. Immediately after the visit of Vice President Xuân, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will lead a delegation of about 20 Vietnamese enterprises to survey the market and seek investment and business opportunities in Qatar. Việt Nam wants to attract Qatar’s investments in projects in infrastructure construction, oil and gas exploitation, renewable energy development, green technology, and digital transformation. Qatar in particular and the Middle East in general are potential markets for Việt Nam’s tourism sector, as tourists from these nations have high spending power and long-stay trips. To increase trade between the two countries, the diplomat stressed the need to soon complete an agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, and mainstream economic diplomacy and trade promotion in activities in celebration of the 30th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.
Source: EIN News
From June 8-14, 2023 at the ITMA in Milan, Italy, the testing device manufacturer emtec Electronic reveals its latest innovation, which will take the haptic testing of textiles and nonwovens to the next level. It’s booked as the world’s largest international exhibition for textile and garment technology: The renowned ITMA exhibition brings together a global audience to present the latest developments along the entire value chain of the textiles industry. At its last showing in 2019, the ITMA attracted more than 100,000 visitors from 136 countries, the majority of which were key decision-makers and influencers for their companies, according to exhibition organizers. In Hall 4 at booth No. D313, emtec Electronic will showcase the tried-and-true TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer as well as unveil its most recent development. Especially adapted to suit the needs of the textile and nonwovens industry, the next-generation softness measuring equipment comes with new features and a new design. The proven TSA already offers a unique approach to softness measurement by simulating the sensory capacities of the human hand via sound analysis. Haptic parameters such as softness, smoothness, flexibility, deformation and springback behavior are able to be objectively measured and the results digitized within a fraction of the time needed for traditional hand-panel testing methods – a mere 90 seconds is standard. Originating in the tissue paper industry under the name Tissue Softness Analyzer, the TSA has since become an established industry standard for haptic measurement worldwide. Its measuring principles and practical application have been featured in a Technical Information Paper (TIP 0808-07 (2021)) from the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). “Our experience in measuring the haptic quality of tissue and hygiene paper has allowed us to continue to innovate and expand to serve the needs of the textile and nonwovens industries,” says Alexander Gruener, Global Marketing and Business Development Manager for emtec Electronic. “For garments, especially, there is a strong need to quickly and reliably reproduce certain haptic qualities that consumers prefer. The TSA provides a simplified solution to achieve maximum comfort.” If you want to discover the latest innovation in terms of haptic quality testing including a new method for digitization, come by the emtec booth (D313 in hall 4) and meet with our experts Giselher Gruener (General Manager), Alexander Gruener, Mario Graupner (Service Manager) as well as Sales Area Managers Philipp Sievers and Eric Haagen.
Source: Indian Textile Magazine
• The Mills Fabrica's portfolio company Circ and Zara have launched a women's capsule collection made of polycotton textile waste. • Circ claims that this is the first time that recycled polyester and lyocell clothing manufactured from polycotton textile waste is made available for consumers. • The collection showcases trendy garments in burgundy tones. Hong Kong-based The Mills Fabrica’s portfolio company Circ, which recycles polycotton waste back into new fibres, has claimed that its new women’s capsule collection that it jointly launched with Zara is the first time that recycled polyester and lyocell clothing manufactured from polycotton textile waste is made available for consumers. The collection, which is now available across 11 markets globally, features lyocell garments made with 50 per cent recycled polycotton textile waste and polyester garments with 43 per cent recycled polycotton textile waste. Circ’s innovative recycling technology is the only platform to successfully separate polycotton blended textile waste and recover both cellulosic and synthetic fibres, Mills Fabrica and Zara said in a joint press release. With creative direction from the design team at Zara Woman, the collection showcases on-trend and light garments in burgundy tones that are designed to keep in circulation. The Mills Fabrica aims to support innovative and disruptive technologies in techstyle (technology and apparel technology) through its investments, incubation programmes, office spaces, lab, and impact retail stores since 2018. It has supported Circ since 2021 through investments, marketing exposure, and connections to the textile and apparel industry. The Mills Fabrica’s portfolio of cutting edge techstyle companies also includes Renewcell, Colorifix, Geltor, and Michroma among others. “This is the first-time recycled polyester and lyocell clothing manufactured from polycotton textile waste is in the hands of consumers, and we are taking important steps towards making circularity the new standard. Circ and Zara want to create a new future in which the garments hanging in our closets are made from recycled materials that can then be recycled over and over again,” said Peter Majeranowski, CEO of Circ. “We’re proud to see technology-empowered solutions making such a positive impact in the textile and apparel industry, contributing to a more sustainable future. The Mills Fabrica looks forward to our continued support of Circ as they make sustainable fashion accessible to the masses through this unprecedented partnership with Zara,” said Cintia Nunes, general manager and head of Asia, The Mills Fabrica.
Source: Fibre 2 Fashion
• The opening of letter of credit (LC) for imports in Bangladesh fell by about 25.38 per cent to $51.36 billion in the July-March period of this fiscal due to import restrictions compared to $68.84 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal. • LC settlement or import payments also declined by 5.87 per cent year on year to $57.05 billion during the period. During the July-March period of this fiscal year, the initiation of letters of credit (LC) for imports in Bangladesh dropped by approximately 25.38 per cent to $51.36 billion, compared to $68.84 billion in the same timeframe of the prior fiscal year, due to import limitations, according to Bangladesh Bank data. Imports of capital machinery, intermediate goods, consumer goods and industrial raw materials significantly declined during the period. Imports of consumer and intermediate goods also fell by 15.99 per cent and 30.91 per cent respectively, totalling $6.19 billion and $4.1 billion in the nine months of FY23. LC opening for capital machinery was $2.29 billion in the first nine months of FY23, compared with that of $5.19 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal, Bangladesh media outlets reported. LC settlement or import payments also declined by 5.87 per cent to stand at $57.05 billion during the period compared with $60.61 billion in the same period in FY22. The government and the Bangladesh Bank have since April last year implemented a series of initiatives, such as imposing high LC margin on imports, especially of non-essential and luxury items, to curb the rapid growth of imports and protect the country’s reserve.
Source: Fibre 2 Fashion
