Textile Raw Material Price 2015-02-15
|
Item |
Price |
Unit |
Fluctuation |
Date |
|
PSF |
1169.60 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
VSF |
1834.92 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
ASF |
2598.65 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
Polyester POY |
1199.69 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
Nylon FDY |
2960.59 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
40D Spandex |
7482.82 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
Nylon DTY |
5725.98 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
Viscose Long Filament |
1455.90 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
Polyester DTY |
2684.06 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
Nylon POY |
2749.12 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
Acrylic Top 3D |
1407.10 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
Polyester FDY |
3204.60 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
30S Spun Rayon Yarn |
2537.65 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
32S Polyester Yarn |
1862.57 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
45S T/C Yarn |
2879.26 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
45S Polyester Yarn |
2017.11 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
T/C Yarn 65/35 32S |
2488.85 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
40S Rayon Yarn |
2700.32 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
T/R Yarn 65/35 32S |
2602.72 |
RMB/Ton |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
10S Denim Fabric |
1.59 |
RMB/Meter |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
32S Twill Fabric |
1.00 |
RMB/Meter |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
40S Combed Poplin |
1.35 |
RMB/Meter |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
30S Rayon Fabric |
0.73 |
RMB/Meter |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
|
45S T/C Fabric |
0.79 |
RMB/Meter |
0% |
2/15/2015 |
Source : Global Textiles
Note: The above prices are Chinese Price (1US$=0.16267 CNY dtd. 15/02/2015)
The prices given above are as quoted from Global Textiles.com. SRTEPC is not responsible for the correctness of the same.
Maharashtra government plans to set up a special textile park to create eco-friendly textile and lend special assistance for establishing such industries. Chandrakant (Dada) Patil, Textile Minister, speaking at an industry event, urged the students pursuing fashion design to conduct more research with a view to increasing implementation of such eco-friendly initiatives. Cultivating cotton in an eco-friendly manner using natural manure and conserving natural resources are the need of the hour, he said.
Addressing Consortium of Green Fashion, a programme organised jointly by School of Fashion Technology and Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science, he said ‘recycle, reuse and reduce’ should be the key objective.
SOURCE: The Hindu Business Line
Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel on Sunday announced setting up a textiles university at the proposed smart city- DREAM City near Surat. She was speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the 2,000-acres Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City here.
"For skill development in the textile industry, another important industry in Surat after diamonds, we are planning to set up a textile university in Surat," Patel said in her address. Further, she asked textiles players to seek land in the proposed DREAM-city on the outskirts of the Surat city.
Surat is a hub for synthetic textiles especially sarees, dress materials and home textiles, which is supplied to the southern Indian markets besides exports. Notably, last year in July, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced a mega textile cluster in Surat besides others in Bareily, Lucknow, Kutch, Bhagalpur, Mysore and one in Tamil Nadu with an budgetary allocation of Rs. 200 crore.
Surat’s textile industry involves spinning, weaving, processing, garmenting and exports, thereby employing around 1.5 lakh people directly. Market estimates put the industry turnover at about Rs. 50,000 crore annually.
SOURCE: The Hindu Business Line
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today sought Centre's help in the export of textile products from the state. He made this request when Union Commerce Minister (Independent Charge) Nirmala Sitharaman called on him here, a release from his office said.
The Union Minister assured the Centre's cooperation to the handloom industry in Telangana, it said. Rao and Sitharaman were shown 'sarees' and other textile products made in a unique way by some Hyderabad-based craftsmen on the occasion. Noting that several unique styles existed in Telangana, Rao felt that such products need marketing facilities.
Rao also sought Centre's help in the development of Musi river area in Hyderabad and establishment of dry ports, the release added.
SOURCE: The Business Standard
Based on the review conducted by the Textiles Ministry in December 2014 on the functioning of export promotion councils. The government discontented with the way the councils functions has taken decision to bring changes in the norms for better working of councils, which are provided with substantial funds to promote exports.
Currently, there are 23 export promotion councils (EPCs) of which ten are administered by the Textiles Ministry. These include Apparel, Handicraft, Carpet and Handloom. At the meeting it was decided that transparency is required in the election procedure of these councils. The government to also review the way these councils nominate officers on the Board of Directors and management. Apart from this, all the executive heads of the textile EPCs may have to inform the ministry regarding their foreign country visits.
It was also decided that activities of the councils with regard to export and conduct of exhibition, buyer-seller meet within India and abroad should be reviewed on quarterly basis. An official of a council said that issues related to functioning of these councils were discussed in the meeting called by the Textiles Minister. Another official of the Council for Leather Exports said that the government should call a stakeholders meeting and discuss all the matters on which they have concerns. Government provides funds to these councils in order to boost exports and other related activities. But the exports are hovering around USD 300 billion for the last few fiscals and these councils contribute in enhancing the outbound shipments. Looking at the export performance, there is an urgent need to re-look at the functioning of these councils.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
Merchandise exports in January registered their biggest decline in the past three years, falling 11.2 per cent to $23.9 billion compared to $26.9 billion in the same month last year. This was also the biggest monthly decline this financial year. It was mainly due to a decline in export of petroleum products, gems and jewellery and pharmaceuticals. The previous double-digit decline was in January 2012, by 12.1 per cent.
Total exports in April-January, the first 10 months of this financial year, were $265 billion, up 2.4 per cent over the $258.7 billion in the corresponding period of FY14, according to commerce ministry data. Imports in January also fell, by 11.4 per cent to $32.2 billion as compared to $36.3 billion in the same month a year before. As a result, the trade deficit contracted to an 11-month low of $8.3 billion.
Exporters complained that the high cost of credit, non-availability of interest subvention and uncertainty over a new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) were the main reasons for exports declining at such a rate. “The government should come clear on when it wants to release the FTP. Exporters in tier-II and tier-III cities are facing an uncertain situation, as it is not official as to when the FTP will be announced and they are having problems in negotiating with international clients. The interest subvention should also be made available to all sectors and there is no clarity even on that,” said Ajay Sahai, director general, Federation of Indian Export Organisations.
He said it would be “difficult” to reach the 2014-15 export target of $340 billion set by the government. He said these could total $320-$325 billion for this financial year. Total imports during April-January reached $383.4 billion, up 2.2 per cent from $375.3 billion in the same period last year. The cumulative trade deficit widened to $118.4 billion compared to $116.5 billion during April-December of FY14.
“The contraction in non-oil merchandise export is a cause of concern, with the outlook for global demand remaining gloomy. Despite the onset of the wedding season, gold imports displayed a muted pick-up in January as compared to the previous month, with ample inventory post the sizable imports in September-November 2014,” said Aditi Nayar, senior economist, Icra.
Gold imports rose 8.1 per cent to $1.6 billion over $1.4 billion in the same month of FY14.Oil imports in January contracted 37.5 per cent to $8.2 billion over the $13.2 billion in January last year. Total oil import during April-January fell 7.9 per cent to $124.7 bn, compared to $135.4 bn in the same period a year before.
On the other hand, non-oil import in January grew 3.5 per cent to nearly $24 bn, from the $23.15 bn in January 2014. Cumulative non-oil import reached $258.7 bn during April-January, 7.8 per cent higher than the $239.9 bn during April-January of 2013-2014. Commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier said a new FTP would be “happening soon”. The announcement of the FTP (2014-19) has been delayed as the ministries of commerce and finance are yet to agree on granting tax incentives for export promotion schemes.
SOURCE: The Business Standard
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today met her Maldivian counterpart Dunya Maumoon today during which they reviewed the developmental projects in the island nation and also the possible agenda for a likely visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi there.
Maumoon, who is on a private visit here, met Swaraj and discussed ways to boost the bilateral ties and maritime cooperation. Maritime neighbours India-Maldives to strengthen ties as they commemorate 50 years of relations," tweeted the spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry. There is a possibility of Modi travelling to the Maldives in March when he will also be visiting Sri Lanka. However, there is no official annoucement of the visit so far.
Swaraj and Maumoon, during their 45-minute-long meeting, are understood to have discussed the possible agenda during a Summit between Modi and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen. Both the Ministers also discussed cooperation in international foras, including the UN.
SOURCE: The Economic Times
Kochi Port has improved its connectivity to West Asia for exports with the introduction of a new shipping service. The vessel, SSL Gujarat, with a capacity to carry 1,800 TEUs (23,000 tonnes), started sailing from Kochi non-stop to Jebel Ali, covering a distance of 1,780 nautical miles in five days. The service starts from Kattuppalli in east coast and touches Tuticorin before coming to Kochi Port for its final onward voyage to Jebel Ali.
With the introduction of this new service, a long-felt need for a direct sailing from Tuticorin to Kochi was also met, thereby facilitating connectivity from east coast ports to this region. The vessel operated by Shyeyas Shipping Ltd is designed to carry 100 reefer containers and 150 DG (dangerous goods) containers. With this new voyage, Vallarpadam terminal has now three shipping services to West Asia.
More vessels planned
Shreyas has also plans to induct two more vessels into the service to increase the frequency of sailing from Kochi to West Asia, the port officials said. The main beneficiary of the service will be Kerala exporters, who get a non-stop, fast and economic service. Concor has started two container train services a week from Coimbatore and a weekly service from Bangalore to Vallarpadam. According to officials, the exim trade from these regions will get a boost from the direct voyage to West Asia, which till now was partly moving through Colombo.
SOURCE: The Hindu Business Line
Global yarn production witnessed a rise of 6.3 per cent in Q3/2014 in comparison to Q3/2013. This was supported by an increase of 7.3 per cent in output in Asia, whereas the other regions saw declines of 3.1 per cent annually in Europe, 2.4 per cent in North America and 12.3 per cent in South America, the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) said in its ‘State of Trade Report Q3/2014’.
However, compared to the previous quarter, global yarn production fell 1.3 per cent in Q3/2014 due to lower output in Asia and Europe, which decreased by 1.4 per cent and 5.7 per cent respectively. During the same period, the yarn production in North America increased moderately by 1.1 per cent, while in South America it recorded a strong rise of 5.7 per cent.
On an annual basis, global yarn inventories rose by 3.7 per cent due to a strong increase in Asia (5.5 per cent). In Europe and South America yarn stocks were reduced by 2.1 per cent and 11.2 per cent respectively, said ITMF.In Q3/2014 yarn orders in Brazil were up by 5.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter and by 0.5 per cent in Europe. On an annual basis yarn orders increased in Brazil by 12.5 per cent and fell in Europe by 0.3 per cent. “Estimates for yarn production for Q4/2014 are positive in Asia and Europe, while in North and South America they are negative,” states the report. It further adds, “The outlook for yarn production for Q1/2015 is positive in Europe and unchanged in Asia.”
SOURCE: Fibre2fashion
Policy Research Institute (PRI) of Bangladesh in Dhaka organised a seminar to discuss on "access to finance: environmental sustainability in the textile sector" in association with the International Finance Corporation yesterday wherein the Governor Atiur Rahman took a decision that the central bank will set aside $500 million of low-cost funds for textile factories to help them adopt eco-friendly technologies and practices.
The money will come in addition to the existing export development fund (EDF) of $1.5 billion and will be named Green EDF. Rahman came up with the decision instantly after a number of bankers and economists stressed the need for such a fund for the textile sector. The BB governor said that the country's garment sector would not be able to reach the $50 billion export target by 2021 without adopting green technologies. He called for a separate allocation in the budget to promote green financing in the textile sector. Budgetary allocation makes it possible to provide low-cost funds.
At present, Bangladesh Bank is offering the EDF to exporters at a rate of LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) plus 2.5 percent for six months. An exporter can borrow a maximum of $15 million in foreign currency. According to Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of PRI, the criteria for accessing the fund by the wet processing units, which are also export-oriented or providing supplies to the garment sector, should be considered in view of the overall sustainability of the textile sector.
Mansur said that inefficient resource use and poor environmental practices are major challenges for the textile sector. The textile factories in Dhaka currently consume 1,500 billion litres of groundwater annually to produce five million tonnes of fabric, with every kg of fabric gobbling up 300 litres against the global standard of 100 litres per kg of fabric.
Making funds available does not guarantee that entrepreneurs would use the resources. Education and awareness is equally important. Besides this customs and supplementary duties should be eliminated for importing cleaner technology equipment and machinery. According the Bangaldesh governor, the progress in the textile sector has brought in multiple challenges in urban expansion, land use, workplace safety and environmental safeguards. For example, textile dyeing and finishing units in Bangladesh are known to be hugely wasteful in water usage as they consume five times the best practice benchmark.
The toxic discharges of the industry pollute both surface and ground water which has serious consequences for all living beings. Long-term sustainability of the industry greatly lies in its ability to produce green textile products mainly due to growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products. In fact, a green development policy should be incorporated into the next five-year plan of the country.
Mohammed Abdul Jabbar, managing director of DBL Group, said that with an initial investment of $100,000, his company was able to reduce wastage of water, energy, steam, dye and chemical worth $500,000 within a year. It is just a matter of mindset. Mustafizur Rahman, executive director of Centre for Policy Dialogue, said that environmental sustainability is very important for the country's mid- and long-term development. The country will be able to raise its garment exports to $50 billion by 2021 if the factories are eco-friendly.
While Ifty Islam was of the view that environmental sustainability has become a central point of China's five-year plan although the country is infamous for environmental pollution. They will have to do the same. Faruque Hassan, a former vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that the factories need financial support from the government and price support from buyers to go for eco-friendly practices.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
During a high-level meeting between Japan and Bangladesh held in Dhaka led by Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque and Japan's Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama their respective delegations has decided to further relax the rules of origin for Bangladeshi knitwear products in its market. The government representatives of both countries expressed their support for the plan.
Md. Shahidul Haque said that Japan in principle has agreed to relax the rules of origin for Bangladesh. The modalities on it will be worked out now. This is a big announcement for Bangladesh. Tokyo reaffirms its commitment to further strengthen its bilateral relationship with Bangladesh based on the 'comprehensive partnership' agreed upon between the two prime ministers last year, Sugiyama said.
At the meeting, Bangladesh also proposed that a joint working group to be formed to further enhance agricultural cooperation between the two countries. The Japanese side agreed to look into it and requested for concept paper. Japan is currently the largest development partner of Bangladesh, and the relations between two countries have reached a new height following the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Tokyo last year.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
The Bangladeshi readymade garment sector has incurred huge vandalism caused by the non-stop political unrest beginning from January 6. In the last 35 days the RMG sector has incurred a loss of Tk21,711 crore due to cancellation of orders, extra-burden of air freights and delays in shipments. According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) estimate, the apparel sector faced the order cancellations worth Tk10,000 crore while it had to spend additional money of over Tk918 crore for air shipments.
It also said the RMG sector had to pay Tk5,000 crore extra as it failed to ship the products on time. During the blockades, vandalism costs the exporters Tk4,395 crore while Tk750 crore for planning disruption. The sector also had to pay Tk84 crore extra as transport fees. The sector also has lost 25% to 30% orders due to the ongoing political unrest, which would cast negative impact on the sector to achieve the export target.
Atiqul Islam, president of the BGMEA addressing an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) jointly organised by the BGMEA, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) to figure ways to tackle the current political situation, which took heavy toll on the country's business expressed fear that the RMG sector people would be forced to cut jobs in their factories due to order shortage in the upcoming days.
The prevailing political disturbance made the global buyers worried about the supply of raw materials, and safety of their staffs in liaison offices and that is why, the buyers cannot travel to Bangladesh for business meeting and placing orders, said Islam. On the other hand, the buyers are taking a cautious step and not confirming more than 30%-50% of the regular orders and in some cases, buyers are calculating risk premium at the time of order negotiation and reducing cutting and making (CM) price. The supply chain of the clothing industry at risk with an investment of Tk1,27,000 crore, already invested in the RMG sector including spinning, knitting, weaving, dying, finishing, accessories, packaging and washing.
The remediation process of the inspected factories by National Action Plan (NAP), Accord and Alliance is also being hampered due to political unrest as they are not being able to go to factories for inspection, said Islam. Bangladesh has to export products worth Tk18,000 crore per month to reach $27bn export target set for the current fiscal, which would not be possible if the political unrest continue further.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
For the first time in more than a half-century, a U.S. company will be allowed to hire private Cuban workers to provide services and to import some products from independent Cuban entrepreneurs. As part of its evolving Cuba policy, the United States released rules Friday on the types of goods and services that may be imported from Cuba’s selft-employed sector. The new rules went into effect immediately.“This is another measure intended to support the ability of the Cuban people to gain greater control over their own lives and determine their country’s future,” the State Department said.
As part of the move by the United States and Cuba to renew diplomatic ties, the Obama administration announced new trade and travel rules last month to make it easier to do business with Cuba. The release of the import regulations by the State Department was the latest step in that direction. But forget the artisanal cigars, home brew or even refurbished vintage cars. Tobacco, spirits and machinery are among the exceptions not eligible for import under the new rules.
Prepared food and beverages, textile and textile articles and animal products also aren’t eligible for import, cutting out important potential sales opportunities for Cuba’s cuentapropistas, the self-employed. For the record, imports of live animals, vegetables, chemical and mineral products, electrical equipment, telecom parts, articles made from nickel, zinc, copper and other non-precious metals and mechanical appliances aren’t permitted either. Items that aren’t on the list of exceptions may be imported.
“I was a lot underwhelmed by the new rules for goods,” said Ted Henken, a professor at Baruch College who is co-author of the book “Entrepreneurial Cuba: The Changing Policy Landscape.” “But services have more potential — especially services provided by translators and computer programers,” he said. “I could see Cuban-Americans in Miami farming out certain services and having Cubans on the island do them.”
While the goods eligible for importation are “disappointing,” Augusto Maxwell, who heads the Cuban practice at the Akerman law firm, said the change was still historic. And he is much more enthusiastic about the services provisions, which he called “the highlight” of the new rules. Essentially, the United States imposes no restrictions on the type of services that independent Cuban entrepreneurs may provide — although the Cuban government may. “There are now opportunities for Cubans to work for U.S. companies,” Maxwell said. “The beauty of this is that it signifies to the Cuban people that it is no longer the United States that is standing in their way of being employed by U.S. companies.”
He said he foresees a day when young, tech-savvy Cubans might be able to provide their services to Google or Microsoft. Americans who import goods or services from Cuba, however, must get proof that shows a Cuban entrepreneur or a worker-run cooperative is truly independent. That could be a Cuban-government-issued self-employment license or in the case of a private entity, proof that it is not controlled or owned by the Cuban government.
In the future, the State Department said, third party verification by an independent organization may be sufficient to prove an entrepreneur or cooperative is private. Some three years ago, the government began turning some state-owned businesses over to workers who run them as cooperatives. But so far, Cuba has approved only around 500 such cooperatives.
The Cuban government allows self-employment in around 200 categories and now more than 383,000 Cubans are in business for themselves, but at this point almost all professional activities aren’t eligible for self-employment licenses. Many of the self-employment service categories are low-tech and aren’t necessarily of interest to American companies. Jobs that fall into that category are entrepreneurs who repair household goods, watches, eyeglasses, jewelry and shoes as well as workers who make pushcart deliveries, sharpen knives and fill or repair cigarette lighters.
But Cuban entrepreneurs are also allowed to program computers, translate documents, provide sports training (with the exception of martial arts), teach languages, book private bed and breakfasts, and provide bookkeeping — but not accounting services. Such service jobs might pique the interest of U.S. companies. Although Cuba’s cuentapropistas offer all manner of homemade food from candy and jams to wine, those items will not be allowed in under the new rules. While cloth and clothes made of textiles are excluded, it appears clothing or shoes made from non-textile products might be allowed. Items made from wood aren’t excluded, either. That sends a message to Cuban entrepreneurs that they should use their imaginations and be creative, said Henken. “You know how entrepreneurial Cubans are. You give them an inch and they take a mile.” But he said they’ll have to ask themselves whether their products can compete in the United States and whether there is a market for them.
“While important in making a crack in the wall of the embargo and facilitating some trade with Cuba’s private sector, this is still quite a small step that will have little impact on the ground in Cuba,” Henken said. U.S. importers also will have to pay duties on imports valued at more than $400, or more than $800 if they bring in $400 worth of Cuban merchandise as accompanied baggage and more than $400 as imports from private entrepreneurs. Limits on Cuban goods that American travelers can bring back in their luggage were announced last month: $400 worth of merchandise, which may include up to $100 worth of tobacco and alcohol products, for personal use only.
As part of the Obama administration’s new Cuba policy, the door also has been opened to American investment in private Cuban enterprises and that also could create new opportunities. Remittances for development of private businesses and projects that “directly benefit the Cuban people” no longer have limits. The State Department also has indicated that it plans to expand eligible imports over time as it gets feedback from Cuba’s budding entrepreneurial class. Cuba has gradually added new categories of permissible self-employment activities and that, too, could spur more imports. “I’m sure Cubans will start finding the items they can sell [under the new rules],” Maxwell said. “The bigger thing is that now the United States has established the architecture for imports.”
SOURCE: The Miami Herald
United States has a high demand of textile products and the markets also demand high quality products. Zimbabwe can export its textile products if their products meet the United States’ standards. Zimbabwean textile industry needs to explore the prolific United States market as it bids to recover its former lustre, according to a US trade specialist.
Trade between Zimbabwe and the US has declined in recent years, with local exports to America totalling $34 million in 2013 compared to $91 million in 2001. The country imported $60 million worth of goods from the US in the comparative period, up from $31 million. Zimbabwe imports mainly machinery, pharmaceutical products, vehicles and medical instruments and exports iron and steel, tobacco, coffee, raw hides and skins.
AGOA is the main vehicle for dialogue between the US and sub-Sahara Africa, but its lifespan ends this year. Notably, Zimbabwe is not eligible under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers qualifying sub-Saharan countries even more liberal access to the US market after Washington imposed sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle in 2003 on allegations of human rights abuses.
Last week, US senior commercial specialist Robert Telchin after addressing a business seminar on US-Zimbabwe trade opportunities said that local textile manufacturers could penetrate the US market, but needed to produce good quality products. He urged government to prioritise infrastructure to counter attack economic growth barriers. The country needs to develop the formal economy – things like infrastructure. Transport and energy infrastructure are the things government need to take lead on and play a big role.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
Currently in Pakistan there is a strong fibre base of 13 million bales of cotton which is almost stagnant for the past few years. To increase cotton based textile exports in the next five years, Pakistan textile industry has planned out a comprehensive strategy. The proposed new measures include formulation of a new policy as well as restructuring of institutions dealing with cotton to promote availability of better cotton for the value-added sector in the textile value chain.
Cotton and administrative control of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) was given to the textile industry in 2011 after devolution of the ministry of food and agriculture. Official documents show that the ministry of textile industry has already started work on the first Ginning Institute of Pakistan in Multan and is actively pursuing implementation of Cotton Standards Act with the help of provincial governments. At the same time, it was proposed to restructure the PCCC to strengthen their research activities.
Focus will be on increasing per hectre yield, reducing risk of cotton curl-leave virus and introducing longer staple length varieties. Organisation rules will be amended to extend incentives to the employees on the basis of performance and output. The ministry also pointed out that Pakistan Cotton Standards Institute (PCSI) was in a state of disarray after Cotton Standardisation Fee (CSF) was suspended in 2007. As a result, the ministry has revived the CSF to ensure its survival.
The PCSI has been shifted to new premises and its capacity and equipment will be strengthened through export development funding. The ministry will also set up Model Cotton Trading Houses in Multan and Sakrand, in collaboration with the PCCC, to facilitate farmers, ginners and other stakeholders. This will help encourage standardisation and brand development.
On the policy side, the ministry of textile Industry will pursue enactment of Plant Breeders Right Act as well as amendment in Seed Act and Quarantine to facilitate research, attract new technologies and increase availability of certified quality seed. To improve standardisation of cotton and ginning sector, implementation of Cotton Control Act is imperative. In addition, cotton standardisation and clean cotton with reduced contamination levels will be facilitated through upgradation of ginning machinery, for which the ginning sector has already been included in the long-term finance facility (LTFF) of the central bank.
The government will pursue better cotton initiative which was introduced in Pakistan by WWF-Pakistan and funded by the EU. The BCI aims to promote measurable improvements in environmental and social impact of cotton cultivation on land, climate, environment and people. Pakistan will pursue this programme and necessary funds will be arranged for continuation and expansion of current programme through foreign donor agencies and Export Development Surcharge. Cotton hedge trading for the domestic cotton will also be initiated in consultation with stakeholders.
According to the document, the government will take measures to introduce extra Long Staple Cotton in the country. In this regard, a comprehensive training and capacity building programme would be developed to establish a system in the private sector for grading and classifying cotton, ensuring that proper premiums are paid on cotton based on grading and classification.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
Pakistan government to promote trade and export efforts is in the process to sign Free Trade Agreement – II with China and also to sign Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN countries. Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir said that China has promised to offer more facilities and market access to Pakistan’s products under the second phase of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), which is under process to be signed between the two countries. Three rounds of dialogue have been held so far on the CPFTA.
During the last five years, Pakistan has signed only one Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Indonesia in February, 2012, which became operational in September, 2013. The PTA with Indonesia will facilitate Pakistan’s entry to ASEAN market while the government is also making efforts to sign FTAs with ASEAN countries to further promote trade and exports with these countries.
The Commerce Minister further said that the advantages of signing PTA with Indonesia was it provided preferential market access to Pakistan on 232 tariff lines. Out of these, 103 tariff lines which are of Pakistan’s export interest are zero rated and includes cotton yarn/fabrics, readymade garments, fans, sports goods, leather goods, fresh fruits, and other industrial products. Pakistan signed Mutual Recognition Agreement with Indonesia on 30th August 2013 for trade of horticulture products. As a result, export of Kinnow has increased to $19.22 million in 2013-14 from $3.2 million in 2012. Pakistan has suffered no loss due to the said PTA.
The minister said that Pakistan also entered into bilateral FTAs with Sri Lanka, Malaysia and China in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively. There is no evidence of drastic fall in the production of any of the cash crops and plantation. Dastgir also rejected the impression of any negative impact of FTAs on any of the cash crops or plantation, adding agriculture crops are generally protected as sensitive items in all FTAs. Ministry of Commerce in strategic trade policy framework has set the target to increase Pakistan’s cumulative export to $95 billion during 2012-15. Minister for Textile Industry Abbas Khan Afridi apprised the House that after resolving the issue of energy for industrial sector, 292 new industries have been registered. There are 4629 companies having textile and allied industry presently registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
During the period from March 2013 till date, 286 textile companies having textile and allied industry have either been wound up or their names have been struck off from the register of companies under the provision of the company’s ordinance, 1984, main reason behind closure of textile units was the energy crisis. The new Textile Policy announced by the government will help promote value added exports of the country.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
The British government to boost the textile industry has granted the N Brown-led Textiles Growth Programme and delivery body Economic Solutions around £19.5m to promote business growth and skills provision. The investment came after the N Brown chairman Lord David Alliance-led Alliance Project published a report that the UK textile industry is worth £9 billion to the economy and is experiencing year-on-year export and domestic growth. It could create up to 20,000 new jobs in the next five to 10 years if businesses are supported to capitalise on a trend towards the repatriation of manufacturing.
The money, awarded is part of the sixth round of the Regional Growth Fund investment, which has seen nearly £300m invested to help regional businesses grow. The investment for the textiles industry will be predominantly focused on businesses in the Northwest and East Midlands. It is the second such investment for the textiles programme, which received £12.8m in 2013. This has so far been granted to 94 companies across the Northwest including weaver AW Hainsworth and manufacturer Cooper & Stollbrand.
The report calls for: a national database of manufacturers to help domestic and foreign buyers source here; greater government and trade body support for UK businesses at trade fairs; a focus on changing out-dated perceptions of the industry in schools to attract a younger workforce; and steps to address late payments for suppliers. The Textile Growth scheme is the first ever textile grant growth programme in British history, led by Manchester-based N Brown Group. It has also been supported by others including BIS, Manchester Growth Company, M&S and ASOS.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
The Western world's growing desire for fast, disposable fashion, fueled by the ready supply of cheap goods manufactured in China and elsewhere, means people are consuming and then disposing of an ever greater quantity of garments. Ghana is the second highest receiver of used clothes from the United Kingdom (UK).
According to the United Nations Comtrade database, Ghana spent $65 million on importing used clothes from the UK, in 2013 which were donated to charity homes but ended up being bought by new owners as they were traded off for profit as per the BBC. The UK is the second largest used clothing exporter after the US. It exported more than £380m ($600m), worth of discarded fashion overseas in 2013.
The 10 top destinations in 2013 were Poland, Ghana, Pakistan, Ukraine, Benin, Kenya, Hungary, Togo, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and The Netherlands, the UN figures indicated. The US's key trade partners are Canada, Chile, Guatemala and India.
The flow of old clothing from the Western world as well as the availability of cheap, new garments from East Asia - has had a negative effect on local textile industries in many countries. This was particularly so in Sub-Saharan Africa, where a third of all globally donated clothes are sold, said Dr Andrew Brooks, a lecturer in development geography at King's College London, in his book Clothing Poverty. Many donors don't realize that the majority of the cast-offs they hand over to charity will be traded abroad for profit. Dr Brooks pointed to Ghana as an example of a country where local industries have been particularly negatively affected. In fact, the rise of fast fashion in Britain has helped fuel a multi-billion pound second-hand clothing industry in Africa, providing countless people with a livelihood, but also worryingly damaging local textile manufacturers in these developing nations.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
Leicestershire county officials have teamed up with counterparts in Manchester making all efforts to obtain Government cash worth up to £19 million to help rejuvenate the industry by acquiring new hi-tech machinery, which would allow textile manufacturers to relocate production from China, the Indian subcontinent and North Africa. Textile firms are looking to tap into a multi-million pound funding scheme to bring more knitwear production back to Leicestershire, a the county's textile industry suffered thousands of job cuts in the mid to late 1990s and early 2000s as scores of manufacturers switched production to lower-cost overseas locations.
Now, a combination of increasing living standards in developing countries, transport costs and a call for more British-made products from consumers has made UK production attractive again. Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) is looking to secure further cash to help textile firms after using up a £21 million allocation from RGF, helping almost 200 firms create 1,800 jobs.
The public-private sector organisation has partnered up with Greater Manchester's local enterprise partnership, which is bidding for up to £19 million from the Government to help the textile sector nationally. If they are successful, county officials would then look to access finance from this scheme on behalf of knitwear companies. Sue Tilley, the LLEP's economic strategy manager, said that this collaboration between Leicester and Manchester is all about a made in the UK brand. There’s such an appetite for growth in the textile sector and the only way they are going to do this is by investing in machinery. Manchester's textile industry is known for its woven goods, while in Leicester it's about knitted. Leicester has a reputation for fast fashion. They also need it to have a reputation for quality.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
Cotton imports by the Southeast Asian nation of Indonesia decreased by 2.16 per cent in 2014, according to the data from Statistics Indonesia. During the year, Indonesia imported cotton (HS Code 52) worth US$ 2.499 billion, compared to imports valued at $2.554 billion in 2013.
In December 2014, Indonesia’s cotton imports increased by 11.83 per cent to $224.9 million over imports of $201.1 million made in November 2014. Cotton imports constituted 1.85 per cent of all non-oil and gas imports made by Indonesia last year. Indonesia imports cotton for its flourishing textile and clothing industry, which makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy, in the form of providing employment as well as earning foreign exchange. The textile sector employment in Indonesia is estimated at about 1.55 million, and another 570,000 people are employed in the apparel sector.
SOURCE: Fibre2fashion
China Denies Allegations Filed by US at WTO
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has decided to pursue dispute settlement consultations with the Government of China at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) concerning China’s “Demonstration Bases-Common Service Platform” export subsidy programme.
Under the programme, China seems to provide prohibited export subsidies through “Common Service Platforms” to manufacturers and producers across seven economic sectors—including the textiles, apparel and footwear sector—and dozens of sub-sectors located in more than one hundred and fifty industrial clusters throughout China known as “Demonstration Bases”.
According to the National Council of Textile Organisations (NCTO), China provides WTO prohibited export subsidies to manufacturers which meet export performance criteria. These subsidies have bolstered China’s meteoritic export surge of textiles and apparel into the US market, from around $7 billion in 2001 to over $40 billion in 2013.
Exports from Demonstration Bases comprise a significant portion of China’s global exports. For example, in 2012 sixteen of the approximately 40 Demonstration Bases in the textiles sector accounted for 14 percent of China’s textile exports. The unfair Chinese export subsidies programme is harmful to American workers and American businesses of all sizes, said Congresswoman Suzan Delbene on her website. China’s massive export growth over 2001-2013 resulted in billions of dollars in lost sales and tens of thousands of lost jobs in the US and the Western Hemisphere, according to NCTO.
“It has been NCTO’s long standing position that China’s rise in the global textile and apparel market has been substantially aided by illegal and unfair trading practices. These illegal practices distort the global market place and put the entire US manufacturing base at a considerable disadvantage,” stated NCTO president Augustine Tantillo while applauding the Obama Administration for its decision to hold US’ international trading competitors to their WTO obligations. NCTO urged the US government to strenuously pursue the matter of Chinese export subsidy programme at the WTO in order to begin the eradication of such trading practices, leading to more fair and open competition in the global market.
In 2013, the US textile and apparel industry was the third largest exporter of textile and apparel products in the world, exporting nearly $24 billion in goods. The industry is also a significant contributor to the overall US economy, producing over $70 billion in annual output. Most importantly, the industry remains a major employer in the United States, providing jobs for nearly 500,000 workers from fibre production to finished product in 2013. Hence, when afforded a level playing field, the US textile and apparel industry can compete with any country in the world, NCTO said.
SOURCE: Fibre2fashion
SPINEXPO a leading trade fair and a perfect platform for anyone who is concerned with fibres, yarns and knitwear industry in China. The 25th edition of Spinexpo to attract more than 10,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors from different part of the globe. The Spring/Summer 2015 session of SPINEXPO will feature a new installation that explores the world of colour in greater depth, as well as a new trend area dedicated to active wear.
The show is ready to welcome exhibitors selected for their quality and creativity who will present their latest trends and developments. Santoni, the leading Italian circular knitting machinery specialist, has teamed up with Dutch activewear developer Eva de Laat to explore ways in which to take the trend towards incorporating sports-inspired properties into casual wear forwards.
Eva de Laat said that seamless and circular knits are benefitting from new technological developments in knitting. By using different structures they can build more function into the garment without adding other elements that would increase the garment’s weight. The result is lighter weight garments that offer a lot more performance. They are able to body map using circular knitting, the advantage is that they can customize garments for different sectors of the market, such as high impact wear, well being (yoga, loungewear) and outdoor sports.
Another company to present itself at the exhibition is South Overseas Group that manages a network of more than 20 knitting factories in multiple locations in China. For the next season, South Overseas is developing several different new products. One of its newest creative projects is needle punch sweaters. Using a technique from embroidery, fibres or hairs from the yarn are pulled to the surface of the garment creating a fluffy texture. Aside from creating more texture, the technique is also said to help to smoothly blend different materials and colours.
Another innovation is the new brushed yarn. Using a new brushing technique, South Overseas can create garments that have a fur-like look. In one of its latest developments, China based Yarns and Colors is experimenting with ways to add new properties to their yarn. The company has produced yarn that can change colour in response to the wearer’s body temperature, explicated Paula Cheng, Creative Director at Yarns and Colors. These garments can serve as elegant office wear and then can change into something fun to wear out at night They can expand on this even further by adding fluorescent colours to the yarn so that the garment can glow in the dark.
In a modern age, people would prefer garment which not only be aesthetically enjoyable but as well as practically in daily use. Keep this in mind; the company has come up with its new optical knitting developments where different images are revealed when the garment is viewed from different angles. The company wants to make more versatile garment. Geetanjali Woollens one of India's largest Integrated manufacturer and exporter of Tahiti Acrylic Blankets, Grey Barrack Blanket and Weaving Yarns having three spinning and weaving plants - two in India and one in Africa. For over 35 years buyers globally have trusted them for their quality to partake at the Spinexpo, Shanghai.
The profile for exhibit includes cashmere & wool sweaters, gloves, hosiery, scarves and tie, knitting machinery, textile designing, Polyester, Polypropylene, Acrylic and Viscose fibers, Polyester-Nylon-Polypropylene-Acrylic-Viscose-Cuprammonium and Acetate Filament Yarns, Natural fibers, Cotton, Cellulosic, Silk, Wool, Angora, Mohair and Camel Hair, Value Added Spun and Blended Yarns. The event will take place from 9-11 March at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center.
SOURCE: Yarns&Fibers
