The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council

MARKET WATCH 9 March, 2015

NATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

Textile Raw Material Price 2015-03-08

Textile Raw Material Price 2015-03-08

Item

Price

Unit

Fluctuation

Date

PSF

1196.74

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

VSF

1843.76

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

ASF

2432.4

USD/Ton

-6.10%

3/8/2015

Polyester POY

1216.2

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

Nylon FDY

2951.31

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

40D Spandex

7459.36

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

Nylon DTY

1427.01

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

Viscose Long Filament

3243.2

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

Polyester DTY

5711.28

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

Nylon POY

1491.87

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

Acrylic Top 3D

2708.07

USD/Ton

1.21%

3/8/2015

Polyester FDY

2578.34

USD/Ton

-5.92%

3/8/2015

30S Spun Rayon Yarn

2562.13

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

32S Polyester Yarn

1897.27

USD/Ton

0.86%

3/8/2015

45S T/C Yarn

2870.23

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

45S Polyester Yarn

2027

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

T/C Yarn 65/35 32S

2481.05

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

40S Rayon Yarn

2691.86

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

T/R Yarn 65/35 32S

2594.56

USD/Ton

0%

3/8/2015

10S Denim Fabric

1.58

USD/Meter

0%

3/8/2015

32S Twill Fabric

0.99

USD/Meter

0%

3/8/2015

40S Combed Poplin

1.35

USD/Meter

0%

3/8/2015

30S Rayon Fabric

0.72

USD/Meter

0%

3/8/2015

45S T/C Fabric

0.78

USD/Meter

0%

3/8/2015

Source: Global Textiles

Note: The above prices are Chinese Price (1 CNY = 0.16216 USD dtd. 08/03/2015)

The prices given above are as quoted from Global Textiles.com.  SRTEPC is not responsible for the correctness of the same.

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CCI okays Reliance's deal with Chinese textile firm

Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) proposed deal to sell 49 per cent stake in a newly-formed textile firm to Chinese company RuYi, saying the deal does not raise any anti-competitive concern. Under the proposed deal, CSTT Co Holdings — an investment arm of textile firm RuYi — would acquire 49 per cent stake in a textile company to be incorporated by RIL as its wholly-owned subsidiary.

The subsidiary will house RIL’s textile business. The combination also involves licensing of the ‘Georgia Gullini’ trademark by Gullini Fashions Private Ltd — an Indian arm of China-based textile firm RuYi. Further, RIL’s trademark Vimal would be licensed to the textile company. Textile happens to be founding business of $75-billion RIL group, which has since emerged as a major player in energy and retail businesses and is now expanding considerably into telecom arena as well, among others.

In an order released on Thursday, the CCI said “the proposed combination is not likely to have an appreciable adverse effect on the competition in India”. According to the Commission, RIL and RuYi have an overlap in men’s shirting, suiting and trouser fabric and in the men’s readymade trouser segments of the textile industry. “It is observed in all these segments, the share of both RuYi and RIL is insignificant and numbers of other players are present,” CCI said.   “As regards to the vertical relationship between RIL and RuYi, it is observed the same is insignificant and unlikely to give rise to competition concerns,” it added. The textile division of RIL is into manufacture yarn, fabric for men’s suiting, trousers and shirting, among others. On January 7, the CCI had received a CSTT Co Holdings received a notice seeking the regulator's nod on the deal.

SOURCE: The Business Standard

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Textile buyers keep away from visiting textile city Surat

Buyers from across India are keep away from visiting the textile city Surat following the outbreak of swine flu there due to which trading of fabrics, including saris and dress materials, has been affected since the last fortnight leading to almost 50% decrease in trading activities. Traders from Delhi, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have stopped visiting the markets for bulk purchases.

The Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (Fostta) president Savarmal Budhia said that buyers from other cities are scared as there have been over 280 deaths due to swine flu across Gujarat. The wholesale trading of fabrics in the markets has stopped. Traders anticipate the demand to increase only after March 20 with the start of summer season. Fostta office-bearers said that there are over 150 textile markets on the Ring Road, Salabatpura and Sahara Darwaja areas house more than 65,000 textile shops. Daily turnover of the fabrics, including saris, dress materials, home-furnishing, etc, is pegged at Rs 110 crore. But the trading now had reduced to Rs 60 crore. Alkesh Agarwal, a textile trader, said that there is 50% decrease in the business which is a big loss to them and many other traders in the markets. Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry's textile committee chairman Devkishan Manghani said that the traders' fraternity is ardently waiting for the summer season to set in. Swine flu virus remains active in cold weather.

SOURCE: YarnsandFibers

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2-day trade show on fabrics, accessories in Bengaluru

Fabrics and Accessories (F&A), a trade show catering to the textiles and garment industry, will have its annual show from March 12-14 in Bengaluru. HOMTEX, the India International Home Textile Exhibition, will also run concurrently with the F&A Show and will see an improved participation from exhibitors in the home textiles, home décor, gifts and houseware sectors in the 2015 edition, with participation from around 3,500 companies, organisers said.

This 12th edition of F&A Show will see over 100 exhibitors exhibiting their Spring/Summer 2016 product lines and visitors can expect to see innovation driven trends and products in apparel fabrics, trimmings, embellishments and also services. There will be a strong representation of suppliers displaying apparel fabrics from across the fiber segments, and also varied garment trims and accessories from India and overseas. On display at the F&A Show will be water soluble PVA yarn, water soluble PVA sewing thread, instant soluble PVA yarn, colour zero twist yarn, zero twist yarn, hollow yarn, water soluble filament, covering yarn, insoluble PVA Yarn, PVA high strength and high modulus fibres, among other offerings.

In fabric innovations, buyers will be able to see PV plush, flannel, coral velvet, micro veboa, faux fur, 100% organic cotton (GOTS & OE), cotton Lycra, 100% Modal, 100% linen, Fair Trade organic fabrics, BCI cotton fabrics, soya bean fabrics, x-static fabrics, 100% Sorona fabrics, Bemberg fabrics, water soluble nonwoven fabric, water soluble PVA fabric, officials said. Regular display includes fabrics in man-made synthetic, natural and blended fibres in woven and knits for men’s, women’s and kid’s wear. Fine yarn-dyed shirting; wool, polyester-wool and polyester-viscose suiting, pure and blended linen; fine high-end silks; fashion dress materials in prints and solids; embroidered; denims; cotton twills, drills etc. In the accessories segment, cotton fusible & non-fusible interlinings with Azo-free dyes, neck laces/patches (Y/D), dori embroideries, croatia/crochet laces, banarasi lace, maharani lace, needle, jalar, crochet, satin lace (Y/D), sequin embroideries, jacquard tapes/webbing, cut-work embroideries, laser cut & pasting, 9-colour embroideries, crochet fabrics, real mother of pearl buttons, etc, will be on display.

Other accessories on show include; buttons, studs and eyelets, zippers and fasteners, laces, labels, ribbons, interlining, paper tags, rianti-theft tags, polybags, tapes, heat transfers, badges, stickers barcodes, hangers, kids light patches, direct PVC and reflective welding on garment, sublimation, puff & glitter heat transfers, image printing on t-shirt, P.V.C. label, rubber label, P.U. night glowing, metal label, towel patches and stuff toy patch for kids t-shirts. Among those offering services to the apparel industry include suppliers of CAD systems & software, design studios, testing and QC equipments, consultants, trade media, etc. Software service providers will showcase ERP solutions tailor-made for buying houses, sourcing houses, exporters and importers.

SOURCE: The Hindu Business Line

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Monetary policy: RBI asks government for more information to figure out 'potential growth rate'

Adding to the uneasy relationship between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government — which wants to curtail the central bank's powers over currency and money markets — is a data conundrum. Questioning the new GDP growth numbers, the RBI has asked the government for more information to figure out the "potential growth rate" — a key parameter in monetary policy decisions. The central bank, said a person familiar with the subject, has called for the back series data which are required to estimate the potential growth rate — an estimate of the maximum potential growth at the existing capacity and which is in line with the central bank's inflation projection. A RBI spokesperson was not available for comment.

Back series data refers to the revised GDP numbers for the past few decades estimated according to the new methodology that has been used to calculate growth. "It would be tough to generate such data. The structure of the economy has changed and information needed to apply the new methodology for earlier years may not simply exist ," said another person.

Last GDP data revision took many months

"There are rough and ready ways to estimate potential growth. But no central bank would like to base its monetary policy actions and take a view on credit and money supply growth on such rough estimates," the person said, adding that there is an ongoing exchange between the regulator, government and Central Statistical Organisation.  Besides changing base year to 2011-12, CSO has applied an internationally accepted methodology and included a significantly higher number of products and services in estimating GDP at 'market prices' instead of 'factor cost'. Using these new series, real GDP growth for FY12 is now 4.8% (as against 4.5% in earlier series) and 6.9% in FY14 (against 4.7% in earlier series). It is understood that while RBI has acknowledged revised methodology, it has questioned some of the assumptions that have gone into arriving at the growth estimate.

A satisfactory estimate of potential growth rate has great significance for RBI. For instance, if actual growth is a few percentage points below potential rate, it reflects some slack in the economy and could justify a degree of monetary easing (considering that the prevailing inflation and foreign exchange leave room for such measure). As the gap between actual and potential narrows, a central bank is left with less space for rate actions. But if actual rate is more than potential - as may be the case in the wake of higher, revised growth numbers - RBI will find it difficult to justify a reduction in policy rate. (The recent quarter point cut in interest rate possibly reflects RBI does not trust the new growth number, even though it appreciates the new methodology).

A CHALLENGING TASK

At the last GDP data revision some years ago, the CSO took many months to produce the back series data. It did not make much difference then as the revisions were relatively modest. But this time around, CSO as well as Reserve Bank are under spotlight and the changes are significant.  "Also, there is a new monetary policy framework with a clear 'inflation targeting' mandate given to RBI which is now more accountable. Understandably, RBI would not like to wait for year to receive the back series data...," said a senior economist with a large institution.

The differences over the growth number have cropped up at a point the government has moved proposals to curtail RBI's power in the money and currency markets. "If regulation of money market shifts to Sebi, then the entire government bond market will be opened up and FII, who may be lobbying for it, will be able to play in short-term money market instruments. But this will create complications, require institutional changes and make it far more difficult for RBI to manage liquidity... The first sign of any systemic issue shows up in the money market, and RBI being the lender of last resort should have regulate the money market. We don't know how far the government would pursue this," said a regulatory official. The CSO may generate 'linking factor' to upgrade the old GDP data as per the new methodology. "This is done by calculating the data for one year for the two series. Then their ratio is applied for earlier years... Technically, RBI would not prefer this but may be left with no alternative under the circumstances," said the person.

Source: The Economic Times

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European Union intensifying efforts for negotiations on India FTA

Amid slowdown in some of its key economies, the European Union (EU) is intensifying its efforts to reach out to India for concluding the negotiations on the proposed free trade agreement. EU officials dealing with the subject said that while they are looking at a ‘political push’ from India to kick-start the stalled negotiations, the 28-nation bloc is willing to be flexible in resolving the contentious issues. “I think Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a man who wants to get things done. I think it is the word from the top that works in India. I think the word needs to come from the top,” Geoffrey Van Orden, chairman of the European parliament delegation for relations with India, said. The officials said that the EU commissioner is likely to request a meeting with commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the coming months to “work out the broader details for a pact which will be win-win for both the parties”.

“We are proposing a meeting at the earliest opportunity for broad reflection. Since 2013, negotiations have not taken place. The EU is ready to show flexibility on all major issues that have stalled the talks. A cooperation agreement was signed in 1994 between the two. We need to sit and update it,” the officials said. The agreement was signed to look into further development and diversification of trade and investment between both the parties. The last round of talks, which started in June 2007, was held in May 2013. However not much breakthrough was achieved due to EU’s concerns in areas including high tariffs on cars and wines, insurance, banking, retail, legal services, geographical indication, and public procurement while India’s concerns were on services.

The two way trade between the EU and India stood at $101.53 billion in 2013-14. Export to the EU countries till April-December stood at $37.46 billion while imports stood at $36.78 billion. India is seeking improved market access in the services sector, which contributes around 60 per cent to the GDP. It wants greater access in, what is called, Mode 1 that pertains to services like telecom, ITeS, and IT and Mode 4 which pertains to movement of skilled professionals like doctors and chartered accountants. The EU wants further liberalisation of legal and accountancy services in India. “Goods and services tax, insurance law and land acquisition bill are litmus test for investors. If this isn’t managed, it can discourage foreign investors,” another EU official said adding that the ordinance for raising FDI limit in insurance sector to 49 per cent has failed to instill confidence in investors.

STICKY ISSUES

* EU wants civil society monitoring of FTAs, India is opposed to it.

* EU has environmental and child labour concerns with regards to India, while New Delhi does not want the subjects to be a part of BTIA negotiations.

* India wants data secure status from EU nations.

* EU wants tightening of India’s intellectual property rights regime.

SOURCE: The Financial Express

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Global crude oil price of Indian Basket was US$ 58.73 per bbl on 06.03.2015

The international crude oil price of Indian Basket as computed/published today by Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was US$ 58.73 per barrel (bbl) on 06.03.2015. This was higher than the price of US$ 58.72 per bbl on previous publishing day of 05.03.2015.

In rupee terms, the price of Indian Basket increased to Rs 3653.01 per bbl on 06.03.2015 as compared to Rs 3652.58 per bbl on 05.03.2015. Rupee closed at Rs 62.20 per US$ on 05.03.2015

 The table below gives details in this regard:

Particulars

Unit

Price on March 06, 2015 (Previous trading day i.e. 05.03.2015)

Pricing Fortnight for 01.03.2015

 (Feb 12 to Feb 25, 2015)

Crude Oil (Indian Basket)

($/bbl)

58.73              (58.72)

  57.84

(Rs/bbl

3653.01            (3652.38)

3598.8

Exchange Rate

  (Rs/$)

62.20                (62.20)

    62.22

 

RC/Rk/Daily Crude oil price- 09.03.2015  

SOURCE: PIB

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China's exports rise 48.9% in Feb, imports slide 20%

China's exports surged in February, exceeding all estimates as the economy benefited from US growth and worked through data distortions linked to the Chinese New Year holiday and a crackdown on fake invoicing. Exports gained more than 48 per cent from a year earlier, the customs administration said in Beijing on Sunday. That compared with the median estimate for a 14 per cent jump in a Bloomberg survey of analysts. Imports slid more than 20 per cent, leaving a trade surplus of $60.6 billion.

A recovering US has helped underpin China's economy as it seeks to cut down excess capacity and transition to a reliance on domestic demand rather than infrastructure investment. Today's skewed numbers also reflect other factors, including the timing of the lunar new year holiday, plunging commodity prices and an effort to clamp down on capital outflows via faked trade receipts."The US is the single most important propeller, and Chinese exports basically follow the US economy," said Larry Hu, head of China Economics at Macquarie Securities Ltd in Hong Kong. Hu estimates that a 3 per cent expansion in the American economy will add an additional 0.5 to 1 percentage point to China's growth by boosting the exports by 8 to 9 per cent.

Exports to the US in the first two months jumped 21 per cent in yuan terms. Shipments to Association of Southeast Asian Nations also increased in January and February, rising 38 per cent. On March 5, Premier Li Keqiang announced a 2015 growth target of 7 per cent, the lowest set in more than 15 years. In his work report delivered to China's legislature, Li also flagged increasing headwinds for the world's second-largest economy such as overcapacity and insufficient innovation. "Chinese exports are humming along, which is a relief as the domestic investment momentum is struggling," said Yao Wei, a Paris-based China economist at Societe Generale SA. The government set the expansion goal for total trade at 6 per cent in its work report, down from last year's 7.5 per cent. Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said Saturday that he is "confident" to accomplish the target.

The drop in imports was sharper than the median estimate of a 10 per cent decline, signaling continued weakness in internal demand as well as the fall in commodity prices. Stronger exports may also help China to get rid of a investment-driven growth model. "The Chinese government will try its best to achieve the growth goal of about 7 per cent," Hu said. "If exports are good, they can do less in other aspects such as infrastructure investment." The trade surplus today compared with a $6 billion median estimate. The larger balance will add uncertainty to the Chinese currency. "An extraordinary growth of exports could be due to the base effect - the February 2014 figures were extremely low as Chinese authorities cracked down on the round-tripping trade flows," Liu Ligang and Zhou Hao at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd in Hong Kong wrote in a note.

SOURCE: The Business Standard

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Major brands to divert for sourcing to Ethiopia and Kenya

Major brands are beginning to source from Ethiopia and Kenya due to rising wages in China, labour unrest and violence in Cambodia, and ineffective compliance with rules and regulations in various countries in South Asia – leading to fires and, in particular, the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh. Also, the governments in Ethiopia and Kenya are creating favourable conditions in order to attract investors, according to a new report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence.

In Ethiopia, several major foreign companies have invested in the textile and clothing industry and a number of high profile brand names have started sourcing apparel from the country, including: UK-based George at Asda (part of the USA-based company Walmart), Primark and Tesco; Sweden-based H&M (Hennes & Mauritz); USA-based Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH); and Germany-based Tchibo. Also, several brands and retailers are reportedly in the process of setting up offices in the country, including Marks & Spencer from the UK, VF Corporation from the USA, and the Inditex brand Zara from Spain.

The increases in investment and sourcing from the country are reflected in employment and export figures. Between 2010/11 and 2013/14, apparel industry employment in Ethiopia more than doubled to 11,716 people, while textile and apparel export earnings rose from US$12.6 million to US$111 million. In Kenya, as many as 46 apparel manufacturing industrial projects were approved by Kenya Industrial Estates in 2013. This was a record level and was more than double the annual average of 19 projects approved for the period 2009-12.

Furthermore, in 2014 delegations from several large companies interested in sourcing from Kenya visited the country. Among these companies were CherryField Sesby of Turkey, Li & Fung of Hong Kong and Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH) of the USA. In order to trigger a major shift of apparel orders from Asia to Kenya and Ethiopia, therefore, there would need to be a significant transfer of technology and management knowhow, and an influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) on a massive scale. Neither country has managed to create an internationally competitive cotton, textile and apparel value chain it is mainly due to insufficient domestic supplies of raw cotton, capital and skills.

SOURCE: YarnsandFibers

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Bangladeshi terry towel makers badly hit due to drop in cotton price

More than 16 big terry towel factories of Bangladesh have been closed in recent times due to drop in cotton prices across the global as they are gradually losing international competition. The export earnings has witnessed sharp decline in last five years as Pakistan and India are getting major orders from foreign buyers. As per the Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BTTLMEA), at least 16 out of 97 companies stopped operation in last one and half years.

According to a report run by the Financial Times (FT), cotton prices hit a 6-year low to $ 0.60 per pound in December 2014 due to China's more restrictive import policy in 2014-15. The main cause of low cotton prices is the fallout from China's support programme for its growers. Belayet Hossain, managing director of RTT Textile Industries Pvt Ltd said that they are trying hard to beat Pakistan, although they are enjoying GSP facility from EU market. The falling prices of cotton help competitors cut their prices further. They purchase yarn from local spinning mills. The cost of yarn sourcing for a Bangladeshi factory hasn't been reduced to a rate compared to that of Pakistan or India. Many companies have stopped operation because of lower orders, Mr Hossain said.

According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data export of terry towel has been losing ground since the financial year 2010-11. Export earnings plunged to just $ 67 million in FY '14 from $ 157 million in FY '10. However, shipment was 120 million in FY '11 while 92 million in FY '12 and $ 86 million in FY '13. The downward trend continued as shipment came down to only $ 24.3 million in the first seven months of the current financial (FY '15) from $ 45 million during the same period of FY '14, down by 47 per cent. BTTLMEA Chairman Khandkar Abdul Muktadir said that Pakistan is providing more cash incentives to its producers than those of Bangladeshis after getting the GSP plus facility in European market from January 1, 2014. Bangladesh produces cotton what it exactly needs for terry towel . The high quality yarn (20-double) costs them $ 2.25 per kg in Bangladesh which will be less than $ 1.5 per kg for a Pakistani company. If the government gives them 9.6 percent cash incentive only on export to EU markets, he said that they could beat the nations competing with them.

BTTLMEA Secretary Md Mujibur Rahman pointed out that towel export witnessed a major setback among home textile items. Shipment of other home textile items also fell, but not to such an extent like terry towel. The home textile sector is still a $1.0 billion earner. Mr Rahman also said that the volume of export has not come down, but its value has declined due to plunge in cotton prices as buyers are offering lower prices for products. Per tonne terry towel is now offered at $ 5,000-5,500 which was $ 8,500-9,000 one and half years back. Terry towel manufacturing companies have been growing in the country since 1980s. Bangladesh produces different types of terry towels such as face, hand, terry kitchen, stripped bath, assorted coloured bath, dyed terry bath, golf and bath robe for export. Bangladesh's terry towel products mainly go to the US, Canada and European markets.

SOURCE: YarnsandFibers

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Pakistan’s textile exports to Turkey dropped to around $500mn from $1bn

Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Turkey grew at good pace and crossed one billion dollar mark in 2010-11, but it started declining after the imposition of safeguard duties in August 2011 by Turkey to protect its domestic industry. The Government of Pakistan had been raising the issue at the highest level with the Turkish officials, but there had been no developments. Pakistan’s textile exports to Turkey has declined by almost 50 percent from $1 billion to around $500 million. Turkey also placed the extra Customs Duty on apparel imports from Pakistan, hampering mutual trade growth though it has no threats from Pakistan garments since it manufactures 95 per cent of fashion and casual wears.

As both countries are engaged in talks over Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the exporters have urged the government to convince its Turkish authorities to waive Safeguard Measures Duty of 42.2 percent which Turkey has placed on Pakistan’s apparel imports.Major items of exports to Turkey include articles of apparel, cloth, knitted crochet, and articles of apparel of textile material, cotton fabric (woven), chemical material and product, chemical elements and compounds, cotton yarn, leather and rice.

PRGMEA central chairman Ijaz Khokhar said that Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association have raised the issue with the officials of the Textile Ministry in a meeting held at PRGMEA House here on Saturday. The meeting was also attended by the Executive Committee and vice chairman Naseer Malik. He said that original Customs Duty is 9.2 percent on garment products, including denim, martial arts uniforms and home-textiles but 42.2 percent SMD increased the levy to 52 percent which is too high to afford on the world market. Ijaz Khokhar, addressing the meeting, said that Pakistani garments exports to Turkey had never posed a threat to its local industrial growth and the SMD was an additional Customs levy that caused a big financial trouble to Pakistani exporters and Turkish importers as well. Pakistani fabric exporters pay 35 percent total Customs Duty with additional 28.6 percent SMD at the import stage in Turkey. In fact, the higher duties should be brought to the original size to help augment both nations’ mutual trade.

Vice Chairman Naseer Malik said that initially, Pakistan had requested Turkey to withdraw the additional duties as Pakistan has a small share of these products in Turkish markets i.e. 4.54 percent for fabrics and 2.3 percent for garments at that time. But Turkey maintained that since the safeguards were imposed on MFN basis, it was not possible to lift the same on Pakistani exports specifically. He said that abolition of SMD will help Pakistani exporters reach Central Asian and Eastern European nations with their garment goods besides taking its trade with Turkey to a billion dollar. According to statistics, bilateral trade decreased from $1.082 billion in 2010-11 to $630.46 million during current fiscal, showing 42% decrease. Pakistan’s exports decreased from $906.58 million in 2010-11 to $455.83 during current fiscal year, which is a 50% decrease. Pakistan’s imports from Turkey showed a small decrease from $176.26 million in 2010-11 to $174.63 million which was only one percent decrease.

SOURCE: YarnsandFibers

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European textile initiatives signed MoU to address energy efficiency issues in textile industry

The Energy Made-to-Measure campaign of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (Euratex) is now collaborating with the Blue Competence initiative of the VDMA (German textile Machinery Association) and the Sustainable Technologies project run by the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT). Three sustainable textile initiatives have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to address energy efficiency, environmental and other sustainability issues in the European textile industry.

The three initiatives will share knowledge and technical know-how and update their findings upcoming leading trade fairs, including Techtextil/Texprocess (Frankfurt, 4-7 May) and ITMA (Milan, 12-19 November). VDMA launched the Blue Competence initiative to support sustainable textile production, particularly via means of a more sparing use of resources and more efficient manufacturing processes involving intelligent technical solutions.

ACIMIT developed the Sustainable Technologies project to develop and promote new production models and efficient processes from an energy standpoint, with a reduced environmental impact. The Energy Made-to-Measure (EM2M) campaign, launched in 2014 and due to run until 2016, provides companies, mainly SMEs, with tools, best practices and training to assess options and take informed decisions about energy efficiency measures. The campaign has so far promoted the outcome of three international projects on textile and clothing manufacturing co-funded by the European Union, namely ARTISAN, SESES and SET.More than 20 public events have taken place in 8 countries to meet 500 professionals and discuss opportunities to spare energy and cut costs for a more efficient, sustainable manufacturing.

SOURCE: YarnsandFibers

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China says progress being made on border talks

Progress is being made on drawn-out border talks with India, China's foreign minister said on Sunday, likening the process to climbing a mountain that becomes harder the closer to the summit you get. The neighbouring giants have had numerous rounds of talks over the years without making much apparent process, in a dispute which dates back to a brief border war in 1962. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the problem as one "left over from history".

"After many years of hard efforts, the border talks continue to make progress, and the dispute has been brought under control," Wang told reporters on the sidelines of China's annual meeting of parliament. "At the moment, the boundary negotiation is in the process of building up small and positive developments," he said. "It's like climbing a mountain: the going is tough, and that is only because we are on the way up."

China lodged an official protest last month when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited one of the border regions in dispute. China claims the northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, calling it south Tibet. Its historic town Tawang, a key site for Tibetan Buddhism, was briefly occupied by Chinese forces during the 1962 war. Chinese President Xi Jinping's largely successful trip to India last year was overshadowed by a stand-off between Chinese and Indian troops in Ladakh, another disputed area. Still, the nuclear-armed neighbours have been trying to move past the issue and concentrate on their broader relationship, which has deep historical roots. Modi is expected to visit China this year. Wang said he hoped the two countries were able to peacefully coexist so that the "dragon and elephant can dance together".

SOURCE: The Business Standard

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Linen and linen blends to feature heavily this time at Spinexpo 2015

Spinexpo Shanghai 2015, a leading professional trade show for fibres and yarns, is getting ready to open its doors to where exhibitors will present their latest trends and developments. Linen and linen blends are expected to feature heavily this time. The show has attracted 170 exhibitors coming from 15 countries, selected for their quality and creativity. The Spring/Summer 2015 session of SPINEXPO will also feature a new installation that explores the world of colour in greater depth, as well as a new trend area dedicated to activewear.

Xinao Group, a large scale wool textile enterprise, believes linen’s functionality caters to the fashion trend of modern textile industry and will be introducing their latest Cross yarn, made from 55% extra fine merino wool and 45% linen. Linen is a functional fibre that has anti-allergic, antistatic and antibacterial properties, the company says. It can absorb 20 times more moisture than its own component and can be described as a natural air conditioner. Therefore, wool linen blend yarns have the characteristic of being stiff and smooth in hand feel, warm in winter and cool in summer. They are suitable for producing high class knitwear.

Another key product in the company’s collection is Georgette, a 100% extra fine merino wool yarn that allows production of knitwear with dry and smooth hand feel, and clean surface. The yarn is enhanced in strength, elasticity and drapability. The Consinee group – Top Line, a producer of fancy yarn, fashionable novelties for high end knitwear production, believes linen is becoming more and more popular for the social elites and professionals due to its unique moisture absorption, dispersion and water transport capability. Working from the unique design and guideline of a French designer, Top Line has chosen the best linen fibre differentiated by its origin and characteristics, and created blends with cotton, spun silk, cashmere, viscose and nylon to develop a series of knitting yarns with multiple layers, structures and specifications with the view of filling the gap for high-end market across the world.

Winning Textile, a fancy yarn producer, has developed linen and cotton, blended with viscose and nylon, and added matt finish and soft handle, still maintaining the shape and refined natural-feel. Other products from Winning for the coming S/S 2016 season are sophisticated sheen or irregular slub of rayon, viscose nylon blend, and superfine stretch nylon enhancing a comfortable good shape look. Südwolle Group, a market leader for worsted spun yarn for weaving, circular and flat knitting in pure wool and wool blend, has developed a new product and a new market strategy. They are moving to their next development phase, Südwolle Group 5.0. They call this Fit for Purpose – Customization, Structure and Culture. As a company, they are evolving from a classical textile manufacturer to a more service-oriented approach, said Hans von Schuh, Managing Sales Director.

In order to ensure that they are fulfilling the same high standards in all areas of ecology and corporate social responsibility, they routinely audit their suppliers. Eco Balance, the company’s review of its environmental achievements is published every year giving customers complete transparency of the production side of the yarn. The 25th session of Spinexpo to be held from 9-11 March at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center.

SOURCE: YarnsandFibers

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