FW
A report by World Bank published in November, around 81 per cent of the apparel factories in Bangladesh have no Research and Development (R&D) cell while research is the key to development of economy in present era. That goes to show that only 19 per cent of Bangladeshi apparel factories have a R&D cell each. On the other hand, investment in this sector is equivalent to Africa's countries. India is in the top among South Asian countries with R&D cell. Nearly 56 per cent of Indian factories have R&D cell.
According to the report, as the amount of investment in research is less, progress is less in successful management, efficiency of the workers and the financing. The report suggested Bangladeshi apparel factories use technology and improve workers efficiency through research. The World Bank report also suggested increasing investment for R&D cell of apparel sector. The experts also see the need for more research to develop country's apparel sector and meet the RMG export target $50 billion by 2021. They said to adjust with global change Bangladesh entrepreneurs have to go for new trend and research.
Executive director of Policy Research Institute (PRI) Ahsan Mansur observed research institutes don't play direct role in any sector for expansion of sector-wise trade except the agriculture. Research on quality of goods and creating innovation in design is essential in trade related sectors. VP of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers & Exports Association (BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Babu says two types of R&D are necessary for the RMG sector. One, is research to bring quality development and diversity and other is the development of efficiency. There is R&D in about 50-60 factories in developing quality and creating efficiency in our country. Besides, research is being carried out in appointing efficient persons including industrial engineers.
In a move that is expected to generate annual net profits of $119 million and 24,000 new jobs, the government of Bangladesh has decided to modernise 24 public sector jute mills with Chinese funding. For several years, state-owned jute mills have been loss-making units and in the last fiscal year their losses amounted to Tk 588 crore.
The production capacity of these mills is 275,500 tons but the actual annual production is 108,656 tons. This yields Tk 1,041 crore in revenue. About 82,000 people are employed in the mills and the government has to give subsidy every year to keep the mills running.
Subsequently, the government has decided to take up a project worth Tk 2,800 crores for balancing, modernising, rehabilitating and expanding the mills. China will put in about Tk 2,240 crore in this investment. China Textile Engineering Corporation has already conducted a feasibility study on jute mills. Due to a lag in technology, low efficiency, obsolete equipment, single product focus, lack of competitiveness and confused management, Bangladesh is losing its position in the global jute industry, said the Chinese company's feasibility study.
"The 5th edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo was attended by over 5,000 visitors, with 53 exhibitors participating in the event cementing the expo’s reputation as a truly international denim event!. Bangladesh Denim Expo never stops inspiring the global industry, even beyond the mere expo dates. Specifically formulated to act as a hub for key denim industry players to network and share their passion for denim, it is now launching a ew educational concept dedicated to the people working in the field of blue."
The 5th edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo was attended by over 5,000 visitors, with 53 exhibitors participating in the event cementing the expo’s reputation as a truly international denim event!
Bangladesh Denim Expo never stops inspiring the global industry, even beyond the mere expo dates. Specifically formulated to act as a hub for key denim industry players to network and share their passion for denim, it is now launching a ew educational concept dedicated to the people working in the field of blue. Bangladesh Denim Academy, a platform aiming to reduce the gap between local factories, mills, garment manufacturers and their clients by helping them to understand each others’ needs. Everything will be pursued through the organization of a series of master classes to provide insights on how the major brands, designers, mills think and work today.
The first of these one-of-a-kind appointments was the Trend Seminar held on December 8, 2016. World renowned denim expert Amy Leverton spoke at the seminar which was chaired by Md Mostafiz Uddin, CEO and Founder of Bangladesh Denim Expo. Denim trends for upcoming A/W 17-18 were analyzed and training was provided to local industry professionals on how to develop denim products following the trends. The seminar also covered the topics such as color patterns and style, evolutions in finishing, innovation, etc.
During the 5th edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo, three side events were arranged that reflected the natural theme of the expo:
Natural indigo dye
Live demonstrations of the ancient craft of hand-dyeing textiles were presented in collaboration with living blue and their team of artisans, proving that traditional dyeing techniques are alive and well in the 21st century.
Handloom woven denim
In homage to weaving techniques of yesteryear, a demonstration of selvedge denim being woven on a handloom by skilled craftsmen was shown.
Hand scraping
Visitors could see skilled operatives at work showing the techniques involved in creating hand finished scraping processes that give a natural appearance to denim products.
Trend zone
Bangladesh denim expo displayed a trend area, offering a snapshot of product, finishes and trims and accessories that reflected the natural theme of the 5th edition. Visitors were able to gain valuable insight into the vast variety of products being displayed at the expo and appreciate both upcoming trends and the potential capabilities available within Bangladesh.
The next edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo is scheduled for May 17 & 18, 2017 in Dhaka. Pathbreaking denim trends are the biggest lure for visitors and participants alike.
Apparel Sourcing USA and Texworld USA will take place from January 23 to 25, 2017. Over 100 exhibitors representing eight countries including USA, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Peru, Myanmar, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan will exhibit at Apparel Sourcing USA. Texworld USA will feature over 220 international exhibitors representing 11 countries, including USA, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Turkey, Japan, Canada, Colombia and India. China will represent a comprehensive showing of established mills from different regions, all specializing in affordable and in-demand textiles, trims and accessories.
While Apparel Sourcing USA will give visitors an opportunity to explore finished apparel as well as manufacturing and private label services across 12 end-use groups, including women’s wear, men’s wear, active wear, knits, wovens, denim, children’s wear and intimates, Texworld USA will give visitors the opportunity to source fabrics, trims and accessories across a total of 16 product groups for women, men and children, including the recently introduced faux fur category and an expanded denim category.
The highlight of Texworld USA will be the return of the Turkey, Taiwan, and Korean pavilions. Exhibitors from Turkey and Taiwan will showcase high-end cotton, knits, functional fabrics and lace. The Korea pavilion will have a focus on high-quality knits. Additionally, the Lenzing Innovation pavilion will also return with 17 exhibitors focused on incorporating sustainable fibers into a wide range of product categories.
The rupee’s recent plunge against the US dollar has put Tirupur garment exporters in anguish. They had booked many orders around the 66.50 levels in the last few months. According to the President of the Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA), they would benefit only if the rupee’s depreciation were sustained. The Association represents the $3-billion industry in Tirupur.
On November 9, the rupee closed at 66.50. In the last three months, the rupee’s range against the dollar was a narrow 66.50/67. Thus export orders would have been booked and the resultant dollar inflows would have been covered in the forward foreign exchange market on a base rate of around 66.70 to the dollar.
But, when the base rate itself moved by Rs 2 to the dollar with the rupee falling to the 68.50 levels by end November, exporters were understandably upset at the loss of the opportunity to realise an additional Rs 2 per US dollar. A move of Rs 2 on a base of Rs 66.50 is nearly 3 per cent. The rupee has since clawed back some of its losses. Nevertheless the problem of missed opportunities would keep recurring for exporters.
Canada will clamp down on toxic materials used in children’s jewelry, toys, clothing and accessories. Their use involves reasonably foreseeable contact with the mouth of a child and may therefore, pose lead exposure risk. Strict limits will be imposed on the amount of lead and cadmium used. These will especially apply to clothing and accessories for children under 14 years of age, toys for children three to 14 years old and products whose primary purpose is to facilitate the relaxation, sleep, hygiene, carrying, or transportation of a child less than four years of age. The definition covers products such as baby baths, backpacks, slings, and carriers.
The term children’s jewelry is defined as jewelry manufactured, sized, decorated, packaged, advertised, or sold in a manner that appeals primarily to children under 15 years of age. Excluded from the scope of this definition are merit badges, medals for achievement, and other similar objects normally worn only occasionally.
Children’s plastic and rubber shoes, sandals and rain gear need special attention as some of these have high levels of chemical threats. These chemicals can cause rashes, asthma, fatigue, headaches, blurred vision. Clothing that promise stain-resistant, waterproof, or odor-fighting performance technologies may utilize toxic chemicals. Polyester frequently contains traces of antimony.
A new collaboration between ethical luxury brand Maiyet and four Chinese designers aims to arouse interest in sustainability in fashion. To spread the word on socially responsible production, ethical brand Maiyet has teamed up with Hong Kong’s Denise Ho and Chinese designers Helen Lee, Ziggy Chen and Daniel Chen of Xu Zhi.
Karen Wood, Head of Development at Maiyet says it surprised her that sustainability is a relatively new topic in the marketplace beyond the US. Wood, feels it’s really about education in multiple markets although Hong Kong and China are at a tipping point as there is awareness about ethical and environment issues in fashion such as transparency and sourcing.
Launched in 2011, Maiyet hopes to promote sustainability, self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship in developing economies. Its commercially successful collections have straddled high fashion and social responsibility, while raising ethical issues in fashion production.
The brand has recently partnered local retailer Lane Crawford to create two capsule collections using the world’s only certified, ethical and environmentally sustainable cashmere yarn. The first features a series of limited editions by four Chinese designers - China-based Helen Lee, Ziggy Chen and Daniel Chen of Xu Zhi and Hong Kong stylist Denise Ho.
The government's ambitious textile package announced with much fanfare is expected to take some more time to be implemented fully. The package was aimed to boost employment and improve investment flows. The Rs 6,000 crores package, announced by the government in July and notified in September, is now expected to kick start production and employment at a later date than earlier estimated, manufacturers say.
Senior textile ministry officials say they do not have any time estimate for implementation. At the same time, the recent Cabinet decision to widen the package beyond apparel manufacturing to cover 'made ups' or home furnishings has its root in the uncertainty. Arguing it's too early to look for benefits from the package, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) explained they would need to wait a few months more for the results to become clearer. Originally envisaged for apparel manufacturing sector, the package has been slow to hit the ground with manufacturers blaming anemic global demand as well as low investment in the sector.
The bulk of the planned capital outlay, an estimated Rs 5,500 crores is expected to be spent on an additional five per cent duty drawback given for garments. The government hopes it will lead to a cumulative increase of exports up to $30 billion. However, one of the major factors expected to boost hiring increased government funding for provident funds of new employees has not started. The government currently bears 8.33 per cent of the employer's contribution. The textile ministry will provide an additional 3.67 per cent amounting to Rs 1,170 crores for first three years for every employee.
For technology up gradation of the textile industry, the government has approved the Amended Technology Up gradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) in place of Revised Restructured Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (RRTUFS) with a one-time capital subsidy for eligible bench-marked machinery for a period of seven years from 2015-16 to 2021-22. This was disclosed to the Rajya Sabha by Union textiles minister Smriti Irani in.
The ministry has also notified the Scheme for Production and Employment Linked Support for Garmenting Units (SPELSGU) under ATUFS to incentivise production and employment generation in the garment sector vide resolution dated 25.July, this year. The additional incentive of 10 per cent will be provided to the garmenting units which would be availing the 15 per cent Capital Investment subsidy (CIS) under ATUFS for the installation of eligible benchmarked machinery after a period of three years.
The cap on capital investment subsidy for eligible machinery in garmenting units has therefore, been enhanced from Rs 30 crores which was the cap under ATUFS to Rs 50 crores. The additional subsidy of 10 per cent will be on achievement of projected production and employment generation.
Around Rs 17,822 crores have been approved for seven years to meet the committed liabilities of Rs 12,671 crores and Rs. 5151 crores for new cases under ATUFS. Budget provision for the financial year 2016-17 is Rs 1,830 crores. However, there is no specific budget provision for any particular segment, including the handloom sector since the scheme is demand driven.
Giving a word of encouragement to the perturbed textile exporters of Pakistan, Finland’s Honorary Consul General to Pakistan, Wille Eerola has reiterated that the European bloc will remain the biggest export market for Pakistan’s textile sector in the coming years. This, despite a huge influx of Chinese investments in the South Asian nation.
Referring to the ongoing developments under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Consul General said that the project would definitely change the country’s landscape and bring both countries (China and Pakistan) closer. However, textile lobbies should be aware that China itself was a big exporter of raw textile products. Eeroala feels, Pakistan is full of opportunities, especially for Nordic companies but the country needs to improve its image at the international level.
Eerola, who also chairs the Nordic-Pakistan Business Summit, said he had already managed to bring many Nordic investors to Pakistan and around 80 companies were interested in investing in the country. Bilateral trade between the EU and Pakistan stood at €10.5 billion in 2015. However, trade between Pakistan and the seven Nordic countries remained at around €150 million.
In CPEC, he said though Chinese companies were dominating the project, Nordic companies still had several opportunities to tap. He believed that such projects could only be undertaken via joint ventures with local counterparts, as foreign companies would help in bringing investments, technology and expertise. However, Pakistani companies right now were more inclined towards China.
