FW
Announcing the Textile Policy for 2014-19, the Pakistan government has put forward its vision to double textiles exports from the current $13 billion to $26 billion besides creation of three million new jobs. The implementation of Textile Policy requires a financial package of around Rs 65 billion in five years. The finance division will provide Rs 40.6 billion while the rest of over Rs 23 billion will be arranged through Planning Commission and Export Development Fund.
The mark-up rate for Export Refinance Scheme of State Bank of Pakistan was reduced from 9.4 to 7.5 per cent with effect from July 1, 2014 while discount on bank interest would be given at 2 per cent as compared to the existing rate. Textile industry in the value added sector would be provided Long Term Financing Facility (LTFF) for up-gradation of technology by SBP at 9 per cent interest for 3 to 10 years.
Textile sector enjoyed duty free import of machinery under textiles Policy 2009-14. This facility (SRO 809) has been extended for another two years. Technology Up-gradation Fund for SMEs, will be extended for the policy period as well. A committee has been constituted regarding EDF which would resolve the issue in one month where textile ministry is likely to get its due share.
The Textiles Policy (2014-19) is based on actionable plans to make textile sector more competitive, robust, goal-oriented and sustainable. It envisages vital measure like budgetary support to the textile sector, enabling policy environment, sectoral strategic plan, marketing initiatives, revitalising projects and capacity building of the ministry and stakeholders, with a view to improving productivity and competitiveness of the entire textile value chain and to achieving the following goals during the next five years.
Under the policy value addition would be doubled from $1billion per million bales to $2 billion; facilitating an additional investment of $5 billion in machinery and technology for the machinery import. According to the policy, clusters would be systematically developed and existing clusters will be strengthened, vocational training of workers, 0.12 million internships and different programs for enhancement of skills and higher per capita productivity would be introduced.
UBM Asia has forayed into the digital textile printing market with the acquisition of ‘China (Shanghai) International Printing Industry Expo (CSTPF)’ from SUNEXPO. CSTPF launched in 2009, has over the last six years evolved into an important gathering for the digital textile printing sector and related industry professionals.
The demand for revolutionary printing technology from leather, glass, ceramic, carpet and other downstream sectors and the continuous innovation in digital printing technology have led to imports of advanced equipment and technology from abroad and the expansion of the overseas market for printed products the next development targets for the digital textile printing industry in China. Having stronghold in China, India and Malaysia as the biggest tradeshow organizer, the acquisition of CSTPF has led UBM Asia into a new sector of immense potential. The UBM Asia and CSTPF teams will work in close collaboration to build the most influential and authoritative international exhibition in the field of digital textile printing.
Gong Changming, General Manager of CSTPF will continue to lead the CSTPF staff and the team will move into the UBM China Shanghai office. The next CSTPF will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, China from April 14-16, 2015.
Exports of readymade garments from Bangladesh in the first seven months of the current fiscal year have grown due to demand from countries like Australia, Russia, China, Brazil and South Korea. Total apparel exports in the seven months from July 2014 to January 2015 edged up 1.98 per cent in value terms.
Shipments to Australia were up 17.4 per cent, to Japan up 12.5 per cent, to China up 14.7 per cent, to the Russian Federation up 12 per cent, to Brazil up 12.2 per cent, to South Korea up 18.9 per cent, to India up 16 per cent and to South Africa up 16 per cent. In contrast, shipments to the US slipped 3.4 per cent in value.
But while Bangladesh’s total export value is marginally ahead of last year, it still falls short of the target set for the period. For fiscal 2014-15, Bangladesh had set an export target for knitwear and for woven garments. In the seven months knitwear exports are 2.6 per cent ahead of last year, but 2.9 per cent behind target. Woven garment exports are up 1.2 per cent but 5.1 per cent behind plan. US imports from Bangladesh rose for the first time in almost a year in December.
The textile and garment machinery exhibition held in Dhaka from February 4 to 7, 2015 saw exhibitors get orders worth more than $200 million. More than 30,000 local and international visitors visited the exposition. Around 880 exhibitors from about 32 countries and regions showcased a wide array of state-of-the-art textile and garment technologies, machinery and parts. Some 1,060 booths exhibited products of leading brands at the fair.
The expo introduced latest machines and technology to the country's textile and garment industry’s supply chain that includes spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing, finishing, testing, washing, embroidery, sewing, and other related equipment.
It was the ideal platform for local exporters to come in contact with relevant manufacturers, regional agents and wholesalers to source high quality machinery, equipment and materials under a single roof. Besides the host Bangladesh, other countries represented at the fair include: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the USA and Vietnam.
BTMA and Chan Chao International and Yorkers Trade and Marketing Service of Taiwan jointly organised the expo which is regarded a mini version of the big regional exhibition, ITMA.
Tirupur’s knitwear hub South India has recorded a 19 per cent rise in exports in rupee terms to touch Rs 15,000 crores during the first nine months from April-December, of the current fiscal. With around 7,000 units out of which 85 per cent are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the region’s exports in dollar terms were 18 per cent for the period under review.
As per A Sakthivel, President of the Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA), the export figure was arrived at after consolidating the bank-wise export data collected from banks. Now the players are optimistic about crossing the export figure of Rs 21,000 crores by March 2015, provided the industry is able to maintain the same growth trend in the fourth quarter. By 2016-17, exports are expected to reach Rs 36,000 crores, almost double the figure achieved in 2013-14.
Exporters from Tirupur have appealed to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a pre-Budget memorandum to address issues like announcement of three per cent interest subvention on rupee export credit, import of specialty fabrics without payment of duty under Export Performance Certificate Scheme and speedy initiation of FTAs with EU and Canada.
Power loom units in India will get a subsidy for upgradation. There will be no restrictions on the number of units eligible for receiving these benefits. These benefits will be given across the board to improve the quality of the product.
Of the over 20 lakh looms, only 1.25 lakh are fully mechanized. At present only a maximum of eight power looms can receive a subsidy of Rs 15,000 each under the scheme, which is also available only in select weaving clusters, like Erode and Salem. The idea is to help poor weavers and make weaving contribute significantly to the growth of the Indian textile industry.
Since 95 per cent of the textile machinery is being imported, there are lots of opportunities for entrepreneurs and the demand for looms can be met by domestic players. Though weaving is one of the important sectors for the Indian textile industry, it has not been given due attention unlike the spinning sector. The weaving sector consists of fragmented, small and often un-registered units that invest low amounts in technology and practices especially in power loom, processing, handloom and knits.
India has the world’s largest installed base for looms. The power loom sector produces more than 60 per cent of the cloth in India.
Britain's textile industry is forecasted to create 20,000 jobs in the next five years as a result of re-shoring of production and growth areas, including material for vehicles and aircraft. Apparel exports doubled in the decade to 2013, with 5,000 jobs created in that year alone. But a shortage of skilled staff and insufficient funding for investment could slow growth.
The UK is the 15th largest textile manufacturer in the world. Higher wages in Asia, and the trend for fast fashion, with customers favoring UK manufacturers, are expected to add to domestic sales. The advanced textile sector, which makes lightweight carbon fiber and other materials, has also provided a boost to clothing manufacturing. F1 cars are woven on the same jacquard loom as a wedding dress.
Online retailers buy all their clothes in the UK to ensure quick turnaround time. Other retailers sourcing more supply from the UK include Marks & Spencer. However, fast fashion can also result in small, uneconomic runs. Some retailers also treat suppliers poorly, with long payment terms or by demanding discounts. The micro businesses driving growth often lack money to invest and scale up. However, all accept that mass production of cheap clothes and household goods is unlikely to return.
ThreadSol Softwares has partnered with Mehala Machines to bring ThreadSol products in the Indian market. IntelloCut and intelloBuy, products from ThreadSol offer complete enterprise material management that helps manufacturers boost their top line by 50 percent by enabling up to 10 percent cost saving on fabric at the buying stage and reducing process loss to under 1 percent at the factory level.
Commenting on the association, Ashim Das, CEO of Mehala Machines said, “ThreadSol Softwares has already marked their presence in India by working with companies like Raymond and Blackberrys. We are pleased to partner with ThreadSol and would spread their revolutionary technology to a larger consumer base around the country.”
As CEO of ThreadSol, Manasij Ganguli says, “The 35 years of industry experience of Mehala and the innovation of ThreadSol will together form a team which can easily take on the challenges Indian apparel market faces today.”
Established in 2012, Threadsol Softwares is operational in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Turkey and Vietnam. ThreadSol is a name synonymous to consistent material saving and sustainable profit. Founded in 1974, Mehala Machines is recognized as one of the leading solution providers to the Indian apparel and leather goods industry. The product range under Mehala comprises of automatic CAD/CAM cutting machines, sewing machines, complete range of finishing equipment, unit production (hanger) systems, embroidery machines, inkjet digital printing machines, packaging machines, material handling systems and factory ventilation/cooling system among many others.
www.mehala.com
Taiwan Textile Federation and Gujnon have signed an agreement to expand economic and trading relations between Taiwan and Indian nonwoven industries. This concerns direct investments, joint ventures and marketing partnerships as well as all other forms of bilateral cooperation.
Gujnon is an association of manufacturers of nonwoven products in Gujarat. Gujarat has become a hub for nonwovens. There are some 40 nonwoven fabric units in the state and many more are in the pipe line. Gujnon’s objective is to promote the consumption of nonwovens, to widen the applications of nonwovens, and to spread the word that nonwoven is 100 per cent recyclable and reusable and, if burnt, does not lead to much air pollution. Products made with nonwovens are considered safe because they are non-toxic.
Taiwan Textile Federation and Gujnon will collaborate on a private-sector basis in protecting intellectual property rights (IPR), by cooperating to promote the exchange of information on policies and activities relating to IPRs in their regions and by striving to prevent infringement on IPRs in domestic and international trade practices.
Both will place at each other’s disposal information concerning investment conditions, relevant valid legal regulations, current trading and market access conditions, and will exchange regular statistics and newsletters.
Women who work in the coir sector will soon get machines that will make their life easier. This is a one-touch automatic pneumatic loom. It can be easily operated by a single person and will be beneficial to women, who account for more than 80 per cent of the workforce in the coir sector.
Most existing machines are operated through foot pedals with a capacity of 8 mt. a day. Moreover, they require at least two people to operate them. The new looms can weave up to 128 mt. of 2 mt. wide geo-textiles. It has a single touch operation and can be worked by one person. The machine can also be used for weaving other natural fibers such as cotton and jute.
The coir manufacturing industry produces mats, matting and other floor coverings. Coir is used as ship cables, for fenders and for rigging. Ropes and cordage, made out of coconut fiber, have been in use from ancient times.
Kerala is known for its coir industry. Coconut husks are beaten into fiber for making mats and other coir products. The coir industry is the largest cottage industry in Kerala. Women are mainly involved in the yarn spinning sector and men in the product-weaving sector.
