The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council

MARKET WATCH 19 JAN, 2018

NATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

GST Council cuts rate on 83 goods, services

New Delhi, January 18: In some New Year cheer, the Goods and Services Tax Council on Thursday began discussions on easing the compliance burden for businesses, with a single monthly return and uploading of invoices. For consumers, it decided to cut rates on 54 services and 29 goods, including tailoring, old cars, bio-diesel, drip irrigation systems and cooking gas. “The new rates will come into effect from January 25,” said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, after the 25th meeting of the GST Council. According to an official release, the tax on old and used motor vehicles and buses running on bio-diesel would be lowered to 18 per cent from the current 28 per cent  diamonds and precious stones will be taxed at 0.25 per cent, and tailoring services at 5 per cent. To protect the domestic industry and boost employment, nearly 40 items have been classified as handlooms and the Fitment Committee of Officers will now finalise their rates.

Returns eased

Jaitley, who chairs the GST Council, also announced that discussions have begun on a single return system of GST 3B, and uploading of invoices by the buyers and sellers. “At a later stage, in case of any differences, they can be asked to explain,” he said, indicating that essentially GSTR 1, 2 and 3 will no longer be used. Presentations on return filing were made by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who heads the ministerial group on IT systems  GSTN CEO Prakash Kumar and Infosys non-executive Chairman Nandan Nilekani. “A final decision will be taken by the GST Council in its next meeting, which is likely to be through video-conferencing,” Jaitley said. Inclusion of items outside GST, including real estate, crude oil, natural gas and petroleum, will be taken up at the next meeting. The Council also discussed revenue collections under the new levy and possible deterrent provisions. This would include the E-Way Bill, which will start from February 1. As many as 15 States have also decided to roll out intra-State Bills from next month. To ease fiscal pressure on the finances of the Centre as well as States, the Council also decided that Rs.35,000 crore from the Integrated GST collections would be distributed among them. “This will help ease the indirect tax positions of the Centre and the States. The Centre is well ahead of its direct tax target,” Jaitley stressed, indicating the commitment to fiscal consolidation. He also expressed hope that indirect tax collections will pick up as anti-evasion measures are put in place.

Composition collections

The Council discussed low collections under the composition scheme, where 17 lakh registered dealers have paid only Rs. 307 crore as tax. “This will be factored in when the CGST, SGST and IGST Act are amended,” Jaitley said, adding that amendments will be circulated within the Council in the next meeting. It will also consider re-introduction of the reverse charge mechanism for those under the composition scheme. Jaitley said that the Anti-Profiteering Authority will accept Rs. 119 crore from Hindustan Unilever Ltd on a provisional basis. “The matter is before the authority,” the Finance Minister said.

Source: Business line

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Textile, garment exporters seek budgetary support to stay competitive

New Delhi: Concerned about the recent fall in exports of textiles and garments and rise in imports from countries such as Bangladesh, exporters are looking at the government to come up with more incentives in the forthcoming Union Budget to prop up the domestic industry. The Textile Ministry has already formed a committee to look into the issues raised by the industry and exporters are hopeful that together with the Finance and Commerce Ministries, some assistance could be extended to the sector. Garments exports have suffered a huge blow with three consecutive months of fall since October 2017 and hopefully the industry’s problems would be looked into seriously and suitably addressed, pointed out HKL Magu,Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). “Under the new GST and drawback rules, the reimbursements of taxes for the sector have gone down to the extent of 7 per cent (of the value of exports), whereas an additional incentive of 2 per cent was given to the sector in the foreign trade policy review in December. There is a shortfall of 5 per cent which has to be addressed in the Budget as it is pulling down exporters,” Magu told BusinessLine. AEPC has sought a number of interventions from the government in the Budget for 2018-19, which includes more incentives, continuation of duty-free import of speciality fabric up to 1 per cent of export value of garments, round-the-clock customs clearance, withdrawal of GST on air-freight and duty-free import of samples. Exports of garments and textiles declined 3 per cent in December 2017 to $2.99 billion, although in the April-December 2017 period it posted a growth of 2 per cent at $26.13 billion. What has rattled the domestic industry more is the rise in imports in the comparable period. According to figures compiled by textile body CITI, India’s imports of garments from Bangladesh increased 66 per cent to $111.3 million during July- December 2017 compared with $66.9 million in the same period last year.

‘At a disadvantage’

“Garment manufacturers in India have to pay duty on imported fabrics, while Bangladesh can import fabric from China duty-free and convert them into garments and sell to India duty-free. This is putting the Indian garment industry at a major disadvantage and this figure is expected to go up in coming months,” according to Sanjay Jain, Chairman, CITI. CITI proposed that by including cotton yarn under the Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS) and providing ROSL (Rebate of State Levies) for fabrics, Indian can retain its competitiveness in the global market. Magu said that the positive response from foreign buyers at the on-going India International Garment Fair in New Delhi proved that there was still a lot of global interest in Indian garments. “Despite the fact that we have not provided airfare to our exhibitors this year, we have already had 400 participants from across the globe. We expect about 100 more tomorrow as the Hong Kong fair, happening simultaneously, will end on Thursday. This makes us optimistic about the future,” he said.

Source: Business line

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CITI expresses concern over steady rise in textile imports

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jain Chairman Confederation of Indian  Textile Industry (CITI) has expressed concern over the 3% decline in  CAGR in textiles and apparel exports compared to the corresponding  period of December 2016. The exports of textiles and apparel stood at US$ 2996 million during December 2017 as against US$ 3075 million in December 2016. However the cumulative export has slightly improved by 2% CAGR as the exports stood at US$ 26  136 million in  April-Dec 2017 in comparison to US$ 25  721 million in April-Dec  2016  he pointed out.  Mr. Jain further stated that the share of textiles and apparel exports in the All Commodity Exports (ACE) also declined by 2% in  December 2017. M r. Sanjay Jain while  appreciating the cumulative  increase in the textiles and  clothing exports during April-  December 2017 also expressed  concerns over the consistent  increase in imports of textiles and  clothing during the same period. The imports of textiles during December 2017 stood at US$ 165.34 million in comparison to US$ 137.24 million in December 2016 registering an increase of 20.48 per  cent.  Mr. Jain also pointed out that as per the latest statistics released  by Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh  India’s imports of  garments from Bangladesh has reached US$ 111.3 million during  July to December 2017  indicating a sharp rise of 66% from US$ 66.9  million during the same period last year.  Mr. Sanjay Jain also stressed that the on-going scenario is negatively affecting the domestic yarn fabric and garment manufacturers. He further stated that there is a greater need to impose safeguard measures such as Rules of Origin Yarn Forward and Fabric  Forward Rules on the countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka that  have FTAs with India to prevent cheaper fabrics produced from  countries like China routed through these countries. Garment manufacturers in India have to pay duty on imported fabrics while Bangladesh can import fabric from China duty free and convert them  into garments and sell to India duty free. This is putting Indian garment industry at a major disadvantage and this figure is expected to go up in coming months.  At the same time  Mr. Sanjay Jain pointed out that India can  Steady rise in textile imports  is a big concern increase its exports of cotton yarn and fabrics provided the sector is  restored with export incentives. CITI has been strongly representing the case of cotton yarn and fabrics with every government department including PMO to enhance the competitiveness of the cotton yarn and fabric sector.  He stated that at present India’s share of cotton yarn in world trade is 26% and it is declining steeply as the incentives given to the cotton yarn sector were withdrawn in 2014 and MEIS which was extended to the entire value chain was not extended to cotton yarn.  Moreover there are various state levies up to the tune of 8% on cotton yarn which are not refunded at any stage. Similarly Fabric sector is not getting refund of state levies of around 6%.  By including cotton yarn under MEIS and providing ROSL for fabrics Indian can retain its competitiveness in the global market  he  added.  Mr. Sanjay K. Jain stated that he is optimistic that the Government would consider CITI’s representations and resolve the issues of the textile and clothing sector on an urgent basis.

Source: Tecoya Trend

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Apparel industry is going through a challenging phase: MoS Textiles

Minister of State (MoS) for Textiles Ajay Tamta said on Wednesday that India’s apparel industry is going through challenging times and added that the Government has formed a committee to address the concerns and look into the issues raised by the industry. “Apparel industry is going through a challenging phase and to address the concerns of the Industry, a committee has been formed by the Government to look into the issues raised by the Industry,” the Minister said while inaugurating the 60th edition of India International Garment Fair (IIGF) at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Tamta further said the textile package announced by the Government is benefiting the sector, immensely. In 2016, the Government has announced a Rs.6,000 crore special package for the textile and apparel sector, which aimed to help in creating one crore jobs in 3 years. “Garment sector is one of the largest employment providers and is helping a large number of people to earn their livelihood,” Tamta said. In his address, Tamta said, “IIGF is a big platform which brings together the overseas garment buyers and garment exporters with almost half of the Indian states participating in the fair.” “During the last IIGF, business worth $200 million was conducted and this time I would like to see more buyers participating in the fair,” he added. Speaking on the occasion HKL Magu, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), said, “I feel happy to note the huge transformation the Fair and the industry has witnessed in these years. The Fair has grown in scale and scope and emerged as the one of the largest and most popular platforms in Asia where overseas garment buyers can source and forge the business relationship with India’s finest in apparel and fashion accessories domain.” “This time the fair is happening at a time when industry is facing lot of challenges both domestically and globally. These are challenging times for the industry with global headwinds blowing over us. The post GST transformation for the industry has been challenging, but I am sure the industry will show the resilience it has shown in the past, and emerge stronger,” Magu said. IIGF, a three-day international fair, is being held from January 17-19, 2018 and will witness the participation of over 294 exporters from 11 states including Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. These participants will be showcasing women’s wear, accessories, kid’s wear and menswear. International buyers from over 95 countries like Brazil, Spain, Japan, Uruguay, UK, Hong Kong, US etc have also registered to participate in the fair.

Source: The Dollar Business Bureau

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Bad news for Indian, Chinese polyester makers: US imposes anti-dumping duty

RIL is the largest producer of polyester fibre and yarn in the world, with a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per annum more than half of almost half of India's overall capacity of 4.5 MT. On Wednesday, the United States announced an anti-dumping duty on fine denier polyester staple fiber imports from China and India. Reliance Industries is one of the main polyester exporters from India to the US. “US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative final determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of fine denier polyester staple fibre from the People’s Republic of China (China) and India, finding that exporters from China and India received countervailable subsidies of 41.73 to 47.55 percent and 9.50 to 25.28 percent, respectively,” US Department of Commerce said in its statement. According to a factsheet shared by the US Department of Commerce, in its investigation on India, the department calculated a preliminary dumping rate of 2.66 per cent for RIL. Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Company was the second Indian company which was made a mandatory respondent to the investigations and was assigned a dumping rate of 21.43 percent, the fact sheet stated.“The US will no longer sit back and watch as its domestic businesses are destroyed by unfair foreign government subsidies,” Ross was quoted in the statement.RIL is the largest producer of polyester fibre and yarn in the world, with a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per annum more than half of almost half of India's overall capacity of 4.5 MT. RIL earlier in November stated it expects a growth of 5 per cent per annum in this segment in India, higher than the global growth rate of 3 percent per annum. For the financial year 2016-17, demand for polyester in India grew at 3 percent on a year on year basis. Per capita consumption of polyester globally comes to the tune of 6 kilogram (kg) per person, compared to 3 kg per person in India and 11 kg per person in China.An email query sent to RIL remained unanswered. “Demand for polyester has been good in the last few quarters as crude prices were low. However, with the rise in crude prices, this is likely to change. For RIL, polyester is a small part of its larger petrochemical business, so I do not expect it to be a significant hit for the company at large. In addition, its share of exports to US of its total polyester production may also be lower. Having said that, one needs to look at what exactly is the duty to access the financial hit,” said an analyst.

Source: Business Standard

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‘MSMEs not getting GST refunds on time’

Thiruvananthapuram, January 18: In the current scheme of things, the GST has caused a shortfall of working capital for SME clients, the Kerala Financial Corporation official said, explaining the circumstances under which the scheme is being launched. “They are paying taxes on the realised profits and only after that can refunds be applied for. But as deadlines for GST returns get extended, they are made to wait longer for refunds,” the official said. This has constricted the operating capital and has forced many to cut costs. As per the Act, refunds due for a financial year can be applied for only after the closure of the financial year on March 31. Small and unorganised businesses in the traditional sectors such as textiles, leather and footwear are currently experiencing a supply disruption. Since they are labour-intensive, the situation is threatening the employment situation too. One example is the footwear sector in North Kerala. For footwear with maximum retail price below Rs.500, the rate at which GST is payable is 5 per cent. Most raw materials required for its manufacture attract GST at rates up to 18 per cent. This differential in rates has resulted in all the units in this sector having excess input credit. While the smaller players have accumulated credit in the range of lakhs of rupees, bigger ones do it in crores in the five months that GST has been in operation. This accumulated credit can only be funded with the working funds of the enterprise. Consequently regular operations are getting hit with each passing day.

Source: Business Line

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Textile traders demand extension of deadline in e-way bill implementation

The textile traders' community in the country’s largest man-made fabric (MMF) hub has been facing lot of difficulties on the GST portal due to technical glitches and sought extension of deadline in the online e-way bill generation. An e-way bill is required for movement of goods worth more than Rs 50,000. Though the central government has launched the e-way bill generation on trial basis for the inter-state movement of goods above Rs 50,000 starting from January 16, the traders have demanded that implementation of e-way bill must be done only after ensuring the system works properly. The traders have demanded that implementation of e-way bill should be deferred till March 31 or else it will hit the inter-state movement of goods from February 1 onwards. For a seamless movement of goods across states, the GST Council, earlier this month, decided to go for early implementation of the e-way bill for inter-state movement of items from February 1 and uniform mandatory compliance from June 1 next year. The leader of the Federation of Surat Textile Traders' Association (FOSTTA) Devkishan Menghani said that the finance ministry has stated that the trader and transporters can start using this system on a voluntary basis from January 16 this year. But, a majority of traders are unable to upload their details or rather the system crashes in the middle of filing of details. On the other hand, the transporters are insisting on the e-way bill details, without which the goods are not loaded for transportation. At this point of time, the government should first rectify the technical problems on the GST portal and then implement the e-way bill compliance. Till then, the government must extend the implementation of e-way bill. FOSTTA president Manoj Agarwal said that time and again they have raised their genuine concerns under GST, but the government is not ready to hear. They are ready to follow the rules, but the GST portal itself is not working. A large number of textile traders had gathered at Abhishek Market on Ring Road to address their problems to Navsari MP C R Paatil on Tuesday. The traders raised the issues related to filing of the returns, ITC-04 and other technical problems on the GST portal.

Source: YarnsandFibers

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Suresh Prabhu: Government working on diversifying export basket

Commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday said the government was working out a strategy to diversify the country’s export basket in a bid to enhance its export presence in the top items of world trade. “We are working on a marketing strategy to diversify the export basket and we will offer it to industry. The government is committed to increase the ease of doing business and make India a leading destination for various products and services in the world,” Prabhu said. The share of exports (both goods and services) in the country’s GDP has been declining consistently from 25.2% in 2013-14 to an estimated 20% in 2017-18, under-performing the economic growth rate. The lacklustre performance has been attributed to various reasons, including unsteady global demand, over-valued domestic currency, high logistics costs and general uncompetitiveness in many sectors. Of late, merchandise exports have moved up, but still a long way to. Prabhu said the ministry will soon hold consultations with various stakeholders on an export policy for farm products. “My ministry has plans to introduce measures with a view to further facilitate the trade in this sector’s products. The government has established 60 fully equipped agri-export zones (AEZs), in addition to 42 mega food parks and 128 cold chains, to boost agricultural and food processing exports,” Prabhu said. The minister was speaking after inaugurating Indus Food — a mega international food and beverage trade show at India Expo Mart In Greater Noida.

Source: PTI

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Irani urges fabrics industry to give data on dumping

Chennai, January 18: The textile industry should come forward with market intelligence and evidence to fight anti-dumping in the apparel segment, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani has said. Speaking at an event organised by the Chennai Citizens Forum today, Irani said that while dumping of fabrics from China has always been a challenge, the industry should provide the Commerce Ministry with market intelligence and port-wise details of dumping so that the Ministry can prepare a clear case in line with WTO norms. “It is unfortunate that despite my continuous appeals, I never had the industry come forth with the paper work,” she added. She urged the apparel industry to bring enough evidence and information so that a definitive case of anti-dumping could be filed.

Handloom focus

Irani said handlooms and handicrafts are another focus area for the Centre. “It could be a niche market in the world,” she said. However, the lack of quality in the sector has been a major challenge. “The industry and the government should work together to bring in quality control so that we can create a handloom brand,” Irani said.

Source: Business Line

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BT cotton seeds effective: Monsanto to government

NEW DELHI: Terming that industry body NSAI's threat to stop sale of BT cotton seeds as "irresponsible", US-based biotech major Monsanto's India JV firm MMBL has written to the government asserting that its BT technology seeds continues to be effective in controlling pest. National Seed Association of India (NSAI) has blamed the MMBL for loss of BT cotton crop in this Kharif season in Maharashtra due to pink bollworm infestation. It has asked the company to take the "complete responsibility" else its members will not sell any BT cotton seeds. Countering the allegations, Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (MMBL) -- which has sub-licensed Bt cotton seed technology to various domestic seed firms -- has written a letter to Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh saying that its Bollgard-II technology continues to be effective in controlling pest. "We categorically disagree with the NSAI's positions, find their threat to stop supply of cotton seeds with BG-II technology as completely irresponsible and against farmer interest," MMBL said in the letter. The resistance development in pests is a natural process. Non-adoption of best practices has led to pink bollworm infestation in Maharashtra but it has been managed well in many states including Gujarat during Kharif 2017, it said. "Non-adoption of product usage guidelines has led to development of resistance in certain populations of pink bollworm (PBW) in certain geographies, as was experienced in Maharashtra," it added. MMBL said it would be "irresponsible" on the part of NSAI to deprive farmers of this technology to tackle bollworm pest, which could cause yield losses of more than 50 per cent. "NSAI's threat to stop supplies of cotton seeds with BG- II technology appears to be blatant attempt to coerce key stakeholders and create a crisis for cotton farmers," it said. The company assured full support in assisting the central and state governments to curb this problem. To address the pest issue, MMBL called for "concerted and collaborative effort" by all stakeholders and not in "stopping access to technology" that has proven immensely beneficial to farmers. Separately, MMBL has also written to NSAI that it was not responsible for development of resistance in pink bollworm and hence not liable to pay any compensation.

Source: The New Indian Express

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GCCI eyes textile tie-up with Bangladesh

Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) had a meeting on Wednesday with Bangladesh deputy high commissioner, Mohammad Lutfor Rahmam at the GCCI premises to discuss the possibilities of exploring a business collaboration in the textile sector of Bangladesh. Shailesh Patwari, president of GCCI said that they are organizing a global textile summit in Ahmedabad this March and has invited Bangladesh to become a partner country for the same. As both countries are at the forefront of the textiles and readymade garments industry, they are exploring possibilities of collaboration," said Shailesh Patwari, president, GCCI. India's exports to Bangladesh stood at $5,452.90 million in 2015-16. In fact, in the last five years, trade between India and Bangladesh witnessed 17 percent grown.

Source: YarnsandFibers

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The magic of human touch

How Weaverstory is working to revive Indian handlooms, through the looms of Banaras

While their colours or the prints, maybe contemporary, the handloom collection by Weaverstory promises to retain the timeless charm of your grandmother’s trousseau. Weaverstory (weaverstory.com), co-founded by former financial services expert Nishant Malhotra, is displaying its collection of Banarasi and Chanderi handloom saris, lehengas and dupattas, at Mithila this weekend. “Our forte lies in the revival of traditional weaves, especially the Banarasi weaves and textiles. This time we are presenting weaves such as the jangla and the shikargarh, that depict scenes from the royal hunting expeditions. We are also bringing zero-zari saris,” says Nishant. “We don’t see zero zari saris any more. Banarasi saris have come to be defined by their ‘bling’. We tried to bring back the old thread work. We work directly with weavers, we have our own production and pricing process. And we believe that tradition needs to be valued. That is why we are focused on older designs.” Their colour palette, on the other hand, is more contemporary, featuring pastel shades that are more popular today. “On the Chanderi side, we are bringing pure silks, not silk cottons. These are Katan silks woven in Chanderi, they are perfect for summer weddings. These saris are just as grand as the Banarasi sari but are not as thick. Our dupatta collection is also designed along similar lines.” Since they work directly with weavers, eliminating the quintessential ‘middleman’, they also take in account their perspective on the design. “Otherwise, our intervention in the design end lies in reviving older designs and in experimenting with textiles. Some of our collections, for instance, feature a mix of silk and mercerised cotton, instead of just silk that is common to Banaras. We have also worked on linen saris in the Benarasi weave, experimenting with yarn.” One of their upcoming collections, he explains, even features a woven Munga Tussar fabric with digital prints. “At the same time, most of our ideas are drawn from museums, and textile books. We don’t come from a design background. We stepped into the field purely by accident, after seeing the way the weavers were being treated. We have been learning the job, with the weavers.” The e-tail platform, which also has a flagship store in New Delhi, has also been working on involving more women in the traditionally male-dominated trade. “More women are now gradually contributing to the financial eco-system. They are making tassels for the saris. Some girls are learning to weave, while a few have already started weaving.”

Source: The Hindu

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Invite for International Entrepreneurship Development Workshop by UNCTAD–Empretec : 15-16th Feb 2018, Gurgaon

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), in association with UNCTAD - Empretec India Foundation is organizing an International Entrepreneurship Development Workshop, on 15-16 February, 2018 (Thursday/Friday)- 9.30 AM – 6.00 PM at Apparel House, Sector 44, Institutional Area, Gurugram (Gurgaon) – 122 003 (Haryana).

Entrepreneurship is one of the key factors in the developmental process and SMEs are the main engine of economic growth. SMEs contribute significantly to the economy in terms of output, employment, new job creation and innovation. The importance of SMEs for large companies, both as suppliers, subcontractors and sellers of their products, has been constantly increasing. However, to benefit more from globalization there is a need to assist SMEs to realize their trade and investment opportunities and become internationally competitive. Against this backdrop, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has joined hands with UNCTAD -Empretec India Foundation (EIF) to strengthen a culture of entrepreneurship and promote business linkages within members of the Council.

About EIF

EIF is mandated to install and develop the United Nations' flagship capacity-building programme “UNCTAD–Empretec” in India. The programme is running in 40 countries with over five lac entrepreneurs having been trained under it. The programme is expanding fast with 20 governments requesting to UNCTAD for installation of the programme in their countries. The programme has been tested in 70 countries before its adoption. The programme has helped in expanding businesses, crating thousands of job for the apparel fraternity. AEPC intends to support UNCTAD-Empretec’s installation and development in India by collaborating with EIF and by requesting its expertise and services.

About UNCTAD-EMPRETC Training Programme

The programme provides entrepreneurship training and technical assistance to promote SME development by:

• Promoting entrepreneurship

• Fostering individual entrepreneurial capabilities

• Building institutional capacity and

• Encouraging employment-creating investment and linkages both among SMEs as well as between large and small enterprises.

Empretec identifies existing and potential entrepreneurs, provides them with training aimed at strengthening their entrepreneurial behaviors and business skills, assists them in accessing business development services, facilitates access to financing, helps to arrange mutually beneficial links with larger national and foreign companies and puts in place long-term support systems to facilitate the growth and internationalization of SMEs.

Main beneficiaries of the Empretec programme are :

• Existing small, medium and micro enterprises that have a track record of good business performance

• Potential entrepreneurs with promising business ideas and high growth potential

• Start-up companies with good bankable project proposals

A very subsidized participation fee is being charged from the participants towards the study material, F&B cost and other associated costs for the training. The participation shall be received on First-cum-First Served (FCFS) basis for 30 participants only. The selected delegates participating in the Primer Workshop and showing high levels of entrepreneurial acumen will be invited to participate in the Empretec graduate programme, allowing a host of business development services to be made available through the UNCTAD Business Linkages programme, including access to cross-border markets, technology and finance.

Source: AEPC

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60th edition of IIGF kicks off at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

The 60th edition of India International Garment Fair (IIGF), the three day international fair which is a big platform bringing together overseas garment buyers and garment exporters, with almost half of Indian states participating in the fair was inaugurated today by Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Ajay Tamta, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Addressing the audience, the Minister said that garment sector is one of the largest providers of employment. He further added that the textile package announced by the Honble Prime Minister has been benefitting the sector immensely. Recalling that business worth US $200 million was conducted in the previous edition, the Minister extended his best wishes to all participating buyers and exporters. Speaking on the occasion Chairman, AEPC, Mr. H. K. L Magu expressed satisfaction at the huge transformation the fair and the industry has witnessed in recent years. He said that the fair has grown in scale and scope and has emerged as one of the largest and most popular platforms in Asia, where overseas garment buyers can source products and forge business relationships with India’s finest players in Apparel and Fashion Accessories. A total of 294 exporters from 11 states, namely Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, are participating at the 60th IIGF. The participants will be showcasing women wear, accessories, kids wear and menswear. International buyers from 95 countries like Brazil, Spain, Japan, Uruguay, UK, Hong Kong and US have registered to participate in the fair. The current edition caters primarily to the Autumn/Winter season of European Union, USA and other Western markets. IIGF is also organizing fashion shows, twice a day on all three days, for exhibiting the collections for business development. Besides this, the best-displayed stalls would be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Trophies in an award function on 18th January, 2018. International Garment Fair is a B-2-B fair meant for conducting meaningful and quality business which started in 1988 and it is being organized by Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), in association with International Garment Fair Association and four major Garment Exporters' Associations, viz. Apparel Exporters & Manufacturers Association (AEMA), Garment Exporters Association (GEA), The Clothing Manufacturers Association of (CMAI) and Garment Exporters of Rajasthan (GEAR). The three-day international fair is being held at Hall Nos. 11, 12 & 12A at Pragati Maidan.

Source: YarnsandFibers

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Europe fights against microplastic release from textiles

Five prominent textile

and apparel bodies of Europe have struck an agreement, called the Cross-Industry Agreement, for prevention of microplastic release into the aquatic environment during the washing of synthetic clothes. With the agreement, European industry associations would work to tackle the issue that is potentially affecting billions of people worldwide. The European Textile and Apparel Confederation (EURATEX), the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (A.I.S.E.), the European Outdoor Group (EOG), the European Man Made Fibres Association (CIRFS), and the Federation of European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) struck an agreement to address the release of microplastic in the aquatic environment. The group of European industry associations, representing the global value chain of garments and their associated maintenance, agreed that viable solutions need to be found to the release of microplastic into global marine and freshwater during the entire lifecycle of textiles  which is highlighted as one of the sources of microplastic. In the agreement, the associations commit to a cross-industry coordination and stakeholder support through a set of effective and economically feasible measures. The associations agree on reliable and harmonised test methods to identify and quantify the type of microplastic present in water and in the environment. The associations call for collaboration across all relevant industry sectors and other organisations, including research, to share information, define common priorities to fill knowledge gaps, and advise on mid and long-term measures. The companies call for support and participation in industrial research activities to investigate feasible options to tackle the release of microplastic and to contribute towards addressing a global problem. The industry associations believe that through mutual work and better understanding of the issue feasible solutions can be found that can be effectively applied by industry, consumers, and authorities. The first half of 2018 foresees the mapping of actions on test methods and on-going research, discussions on potential harmonisation methodologies and conceivable cross-industry collaborations. The goal, for the end of 2018, will be to draft a proposal for the European Commission. This proposal aims to fill knowledge gaps to identify and quantify sources of microplastic pollutions in order to work on possible solutions. (GK)

Source: Fibre2Fashion

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Fiji govt provides $100k marketing grant for TCF sector

Fiji government through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (MITT), has geared its support to the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Council as part of its commitment to support key industries that play a major role in Fiji’seconomy. The government has provided a $100,000 marketing grant for the industry this financial to enhance exports of Fijian Made — Fijian Sewn products. The Fijian Government recognizes the TCF industry as a fundamental contributor towards growth of the Fijian economy through trade and employment creation and has continued to support the industry in various ways over 10 years," a Government statement said yesterday. In today's globally competitive environment, their TCF industry also faces numerous challenges. The marketing grant was introduced in 2009 by the Fijian Government to assist the industry in adapting to the changing trade environment. With this, Government has indicated its commitment to continue complementing the efforts of the TCF Council to ensure the viability and sustainability of the growing TCF industry. One of the plans of the TCF Council this year is to expand its market influence through further research and development to secure new markets for its Fijian Made — Fijian Sewn products. The TCF industry has rapidly become a critical part of the economic structure of Fiji, exporting garments to Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Pacific Island countries over the recent year. The TCF sector has over the years reinvented itself with the ability to attract a diverse range of markets.

Source: YarnsandFibers

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Burkina Faso abandons insect-resistant GMO cotton, suffers lower yields

As Burkina Faso farmers predicted, their nation has lost its standing as Africa’s largest producer of cotton since halting the cultivation of genetically engineered, pest-resistant Bt cotton. Mali has now emerged as the number one producer of cotton in Africa, edging Burkina Faso out of the place it held for more than a decade, according to a report from Radio France International (RFI), the French public radio service. Cotton farmers in Burkina Faso had predicted a decline in production by the end of 2017 when I paid a visit to that country last September. They were concerned that the increased pest attacks that followed the decision by government and cotton companies to phase out the production of GE cotton seeds would make 2017 a bad production year. They were right, as confirmed by figures from the National Cotton Council of America. In 2017, Mali produced 1.325 million bales of cotton fiber, while Burkina Faso produced 1.300 million bales. Kuraogo Salifu, a cotton farmer in the Pandema District, told me: “This year, we have increased the size of cotton fields all over but most of the fields are suffering from the pest pressure. The country will not achieve increased yields as expected.”

Source: Genetic Literacy Project

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ColorJet launching tech loaded digital textile printer TXF with Japanese Technology at GTE 2018

After the successful launch at FESPA Hamburg, ColorJet India Ltd is showcasing its tech loaded digital textile printer, the TXF at Garment Technology Expo (GTE), New Delhi in hall E, stall no. 6. ColorJet has manufactured this digital textile printer incorporating the latest Japanese technology, which imparts the printer with the power to print brilliantly and flawlessly, with reduced maintenance. The TXF printer offers speeds of up to 24 sq. metres per hour and can achieve print resolutions of up to 1,440 dpi and is best suited when it comes to sampling and short runs, particularly suitable for fashion designers and home textiles applications. The TXF printer which is equipped with Epson printheads gives variable dot control for achieving smooth gradations and is also belt driven, which makes it suitable for printing fabrics including bulky textured materials, thinner fabrics and also stretchable fabric materials such as knits. The digital printer is apt for printing with pigment inks, and can print practically on any type of fabric including polyester, cotton, silk, viscose, rayon or wool. Pigment printing has an advantage as the fabric does not necessarily require pre- or post-treatment, thereby saving on production times and reducing water pollution. The TXF is also available to work with reactive inks for printing onto natural fabrics and also disperse inks for printing onto polyester fabrics. "ColorJet introduced this entry level digital textile printer, primarily for fashion designers and home textiles applications. Since the printer is apt for printing with all inks, whether pigment, reactive or disperse, all types of fabrics, including polyester, cotton, silk, viscose, rayon or wool can be printed which opens huge avenues for different applications," Smarth Bansal at Colorjet India said. ColorJet India is also a recipient of several awards, a few of which include the ‘Rising Star of Asia’ 2016 award in the digital inkjet printer manufacturer category at the Indo-ASEAN Global Investment Summit held in Bangkok. ColorJet was also acknowledged as ‘India’s Largest Manufacturer of Wide Format Digital Printers’ at the annual 6th Imaging Solution Awards Night held in New Delhi, India. Very recently, the company won the 'Indian Brand Excellence Award 2017' for being the largest manufacturer of digital inkjet printers in India.

About ColorJet India Ltd:

ColorJet India Ltd, the largest manufacturer of digital inkjet printers in India, markets its products in 14 countries worldwide. Founded in 2004, the company maintains its operations via two manufacturing facilities and sales offices spread across seven countries, which include India, China, Bangladesh, UAE and Sri Lanka. To-date, ColorJet has installed and implemented over 4,000 of its printing solutions and products across 315 cities around the world backed by a strong 278 member team, of which almost 100 are in technical related functions.

Source: YarnsandFibers

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Fashion That Fits

Fashion has a fit problem, and it’s a $62 billion–plus apparel- and footwear-return problem annually and growing, according to the Franklin, Tenn.–based global research and advisory IHL Group. A staggering 70 percent of all returned apparel online is fit related. As an industry, let’s be honest—“universal sizing” does not exist, either globally or even in the United States. Sizing charts differ by brand, and U.S. Standard Sizing has not changed since the war—and that is World War II, not the Gulf War. We have also seen American body shapes change over the last few decades, with 67 percent of American women now in a size 14 or larger, according to the women’s lifestyle site Refinery29. Most people lie about their actual size. Studies have shown that shoppers prefer to buy clothing labeled with small sizes because it boosts confidence. In fact, the Daily Mail states that the ladies lie more than the men, with 50 percent of women not telling their partner, friends or colleagues their true size. Whatever you would like to call it—vanity sizing or insanity sizing—it’s a mess. However, with the explosive growth in digital platforms, the need for sizing guidance driven by technology has become more important than ever. So, technology to the rescue? Not so fast, as big data has so far been a big dud for fit in many areas. Fit-recommendation algorithms have required heavy and consistent input of measurement data, and production of 3-D rendering and body scans has been cost-prohibitive for most retailers. First-generation virtual fitting rooms had a slow start as did an onset of various solutions being deployed and tested at a wide range of retailers. There is a need for low-friction, easy-to-use and engaging solutions, so let’s take a look at some of these newer and more-engaging technologies. One of the true leaders in sizing technology is True Fit, a Boston-based company with a data-driven personalization platform for footwear and apparel retailers that uses rich connected data and machine learning to enable personal experiences. It has organized the largest platform of apparel and footwear data through its partnerships with thousands of top brands, the world’s leading retailers and millions of consumers. It allows retailers to provide highly personalized fit ratings and size recommendations to shoppers. It also allows retailers to curate highly personalized collections for each consumer through personal style rankings that leverage its deep understanding of both users and garments. Amazon.com is now the largest clothing retailer in the United States and has bet big on 3-D modeling systems to make sure customers get the right size the first time. Amazon is using a device to take the internal measurements of its products, allowing creation of 3-D models it then stores in a database. As a user shops, Amazon would be able to recommend products with a similar fit based on whether its dimensions match the reference item within a certain threshold. Let’s say you like the way your Adidas sneakers fit. Then you could be assured any sneaker Amazon recommends as a match would fit well, too. To measure every product Amazon sells requires a huge amount of effort, but it does have a 46,000-square-foot photography studio in London to shoot some 500,000 images of clothing a year as part of its focus on increasing fashion sales. Amazon has also recently acquired the New York–based software company Body Labs, which creates true-to-life 3-D body models to support trying on clothes virtually. Other notable in-store fit technology comes from the San Francisco–based Oak Labs. It has an interactive touch-screen mirror that empowers shoppers to customize its fitting room’s ambiance, explore product recommendations and digitally seek assistance from store associates. Using RFID technology, the mirror recognizes products as they enter the room and synchronizes with the retailer’s inventory system to provide intelligent product recommendations. It also seamlessly connects shoppers with sales professionals via dedicated mobile or wearable devices. Israel-based MySizeID allows consumers to quickly and easily measure themselves via smartphone and then be matched with apparel items in their size across Unified Commerce. It predicts the body circumferences required by the retailer size chart using proprietary algorithms and then recommends to the user the appropriate garment size according to the retailer’s size chart. Mad Street Den, an India-U.S. startup, and its sub brand, Vue.ai, is selling artificial-intelligence technology to bring visual stimulation back to the shopping experience. It analyzes clothing and automatically generates images of the garment on a person of any shape or size. Brands no longer have to hire professional photographers or fit models. All they have to do is take a picture of the garment on a plain surface. Since this is virtual, there are no real-life models, but the Vue.ai engine can generate a human figure of any skin or body type and predict how the garment would look and fit. As today’s connected consumers require a more personalized and customized shopping experience, make sure your company invests in the right sizing technology for your brand. Strap yourselves in, as there is so much more on the horizon to jolt the customer journey. The most important thing to remember at this point is, “Know if it fits before you ship.” Jerry Inman is a retail expert focused on the fashion, style and technology industries. He is also the cofounder of the retail consultancy Demand Worldwide as well as the fashion trend forecaster MintModa.

Source   Apparel News

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