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Garment manufacturers are returning to Philippines to take advantage of the zero duty export privilege the wealthy 28-member EU countries under the EU GSP Plus program. The zero duty privilege of Philippines under the EU GSP Plus program took effect in mid December last year. This grants zero tariff to over 6,000 product lines from the Philippines. Garment buyers for the EU have been enquiring for possible supply. Buyers and manufacturers are now expected to flock to the country because of the export privilege.
The Philippines expects to increase exports to the EU by 35 per cent and create 2,00,000 jobs as a result of the preferential status. Garments, textile products and footwear are among the top sectors expected to benefit from the GSP upgrade. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are expected to be created in the countryside and specifically in disaster stricken areas.
In the Asean region, which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the Philippines is the only EU GSP Plus beneficiary country. With this benefit, Philippines exporters will have better access and comparative advantage in the EU market. The country hopes to become a manufacturing hub for the Asean region.
More than 630 international exhibitors are unveiling their new Spring/Summer 2016 collections at the Texworld trade fair that commences today, the fair has managed to attract 70 new exhibitors from South Korea, China, the UAE, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Portugal and Turkey. The exhibitors are displaying their latest offerings under different sections like cotton, knits, silk & silky aspects, lace & embroidery and so on.
The cotton segment will host 12 new exhibitors, amongst them Dacheng Textile is exhibiting a huge range of fabrics for shirting and casualwear in 100 per cent cotton or with linen, Tencel and polyester blends. Its midrange offer of refined finishes is aimed particularly at casual womenswear collections. The two Turkish companies Hisar Tekstil of Istanbul and Bahateks Tekstil of Bursa are showcasing a range of midrange voiles in extremely high-quality finishes for men’s and women’s wear. Silkland Trading from the UAE has its closely-worked cotton, original prints and embroidery range intended to appeal to buyers of womenswear looking for value additions.
Knits segment has experienced the strongest growth, with 13 new producers of fabrics for children’s and infants ready-to-wear ranges. Collections from South Korea, appreciated by buyers for its cutting-edge technology, are leading the way in creativity and innovation. For instance, Dong Il Textile Co, which specialises in materials for casualwear and men’s and women’s sportswear have on offer a range of high-tech, eco-friendly fabrics with properties like anti-perspiration, anti-odour and quick drying aimed at mid and top-of-the-range brands. The very sporty collection from EST, which specialises in womenswear, has a line of trendy jacquards and circular and double knits targeted at major fast fashion labels.
Embroidery & Lace, one of the most lively segments at the trade fair, will host three new companies, two of them Indian, with a highly creative range. Kontemporary India established in 2008 represents the best in handmade embroidery skill at the very top of the range, mixing creativity and boldness in its choice of materials, such as rhodoid pellets married with precious stones. Shagun Overseas, another Indian company has set its sights more on mid-range fashion brands and labels, with a quality/price ratio which allows it to develop high volume custom-made embroidery. Its offer ranges from traditional embroidery patterns with sequins to sophisticated products mixing pearls, feathers, rhinestones and crystals. Chinese company Shanghai Lee Power Industrial is showcasing a range of selected cotton and synthetic lace for lingerie and ready-to-wear garments.
The Silk and Silky Aspects segments are expanding their offer with the arrival of six new exhibitors, two of which are silk manufacturers from the famous silk-producing centre of Huzhou, known as the City of Silk in China. In common with mid-range brands, Huzhou Linghu Wanshimei Wool-Knitting Co and Huzhou Orient Textile Factory are offering a great variety of weft-faced silk twill, dupion, silk satins and stretch silks in high-quality finishes. Eminent Garment, Hong Kong supplies to many designers and international brands. J.N. Textile, India, a jacquard specialist, intends to attract buyers on the lookout for dupion, heavy silk satins and polyester silk fabrics for entry level and mid-range products.
Four new Chinese companies will display their collection of fancy voiles for the men’s and women’s entry-level range under the denim segment. Shaoguan Shunchang Weaving Factory is a denim maker to watch for the quality of its offer, particularly for fancy voiles for entry level and middle-market ranges. Benjie Textile sells five families of entry-level and mid-range products like 100 percent cotton denim, stretch denim, cotton and polyester blended denim, business-casual denim and functional denim.
Functional fabrics are in vogue since all the brands and designers have started developing dedicated casual or sporty collections using technical fabrics. The segment is expanding its range with six new weavers, of which three are Chinese companies specialising in high-tech fabrics for sportswear and casualwear. The added value of their men’s, women’s and children’s collections, from entry level to mid-range, deserves special attention.
Under the linen segment, Chinese linen producer Shanghai Fortune Textiles will attract fast fashion buyers with its offer made up of entry-level pure linen weaves and linen/ramie and linen/Tencel mixes. Under prints, two new exhibitors are making their debut with unusual prints: - Jiaxing Jinmai Textile Technology, China knows how to win over buyers for mid-range womenswear and teenagers’ clothing with its digital prints on cotton, silk, jersey and jacquard weaves and Radzuan Radziwill from Malaysia produces bewitching unique, surprising collections hand-printed with blocks, competing with fabrics dyed naturally using vegetable pigments. And trims & accessories section has four companies, three from China and one from Portugal, who will be putting their treasures on show.
The new Spring/Summer 2016 seasonal theme at Texworld has been named ‘Presence’, which will present new directions of textile design and fashion interpreted by the fair’s two artistic directors, Louis Gérin and Grégory Lamaud. Fr.messefrankfurt.com
Vietnam is likely to overtake Bangladesh in the global apparel export market share once the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) takes shape. TPP is likely to benefit Vietnam’s apparel industry while hurting South Asian competitors like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Vietnam’s market share in apparel could rise to about 11 per cent up from 4 per cent as of now.
The TPP free trade grouping consists of Vietnam, along with Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and the US. The agreement may come into force this year. But a wave of foreign investment in Vietnam’s textile industry has already begun. Flexible rules of origin requirements would likely result in gains for Korea and Japan, the primary suppliers of textiles to Vietnam’s apparel industry. China and Hong Kong would likely see little impact, as they are big suppliers to Vietnam, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
In contrast, Asian suppliers such as India, Pakistan and Thailand, as well as some European countries, would be losers, as they are preferred suppliers to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Negotiations between the US and Vietnam are underway on the terms of trade agreement on apparels. The US is understood to favor yarn forward rules, which implies that all stages of production, starting with yarn spinning, must take place within a TPP country.
Myanmar will host an exhibition for textiles and garments machinery from June 26 to 29, 2015. The exhibits will include textile and spinning machinery and accessories, yarn processing and weaving machines, bleaching and washing machines, cloth processing machines, ironing and steaming equipment, laundry machinery and accessories, dry cleaning equipment, testing equipment and controls, winding machines and textile screen printing machines.
In addition there will be accessories including zippers, buttons, labels, fasteners, ribbons, badges, linings and interlinings, trimmings, beads, belts and buckles, needles and thread, knives and scissors and grinding machinery. Manufacturers, distributors, dealers, agents, engineers, technocrats, policy makers, importers and exporters and trade associations will be present at the fair.
Brands from Bangladesh, China, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, UK and Vietnam will take part in the exhibition. Myanmar’s readymade garment sector is still at a nascent stage. However, given the pace of its growth, the sector may turn into a big player for cheap readymade garment products.
Besides neighboring China and having access to the sea, availability of cheap labor and natural resources is an added factor. The Myanmar government is heavily investing in infrastructure, which may take a couple of years to take shape.
Levi Strauss & Co has settled an investigation through the US International Trade Commission (ITC) over patent infringement regarding certain laser abraded denim garments. Levi’s agreed to the terms with Revolaze and TechnoLines, who filed the complaint, alleging that laser abrasion process technology violates one or more of their patents.
A spokesperson for Levi Strauss confirmed the case had now been settled but declined to offer further information due to the confidential terms of the case. The complainants requested the ITC issue a general exclusion order, or a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders. There are 20 respondents in the investigation, including Gap, H&M, and Abercrombie Fitch.
Initially, several companies accused claimed laser technology patents were invalid or enforceable. Levi Strauss is one of the world’s leading branded apparel companies, marketing in more than 100 countries worldwide. The company designs and markets jeans and jeans-related pants, casual and dress pants, shirts, jackets, and related accessories for men, women and children.
Almost 90 per cent of Levi's sales come from menswear. Levi Strauss India gets strong support from the parent company. The iconic American company made its first pair of jeans in 1873. Despite its legendary status, Levi’s is having trouble selling its utilitarian jeans in a market that has embraced denim as a fashion statement.
www.levistrauss.com/
The apparel market has seen good growth of late. Four of the top 10 supplier countries saw strong double digit growth, including Bangladesh, with China and Vietnam remaining top of the table. The volume of apparel imports from all sources increased five per cent in December. China is the largest supplier followed by Vietnam. Bangladesh, which is at number three in the top 10 league table, saw apparel shipments into the US increase 20 per cent. However, Bangladesh started to see shipments to the US decline in February as buyers relocated orders elsewhere due to factory safety issues and the ongoing political turmoil in the country.
Indonesia is number four. It saw shipments grow 7.4 percent, rebounding from an 8 percent decline in November. Honduras registered a 2.5 percent year-on-year gain. Increases were also booked by India (up 10.5 per cent), Mexico (up 6.8 per cent) and Pakistan (up 15.6 per cent ). Only Cambodia and El Salvador reported a decline during December.
China remains a compelling source for apparel buyers as rising prices are largely being offset by productivity gains. No country can match China in terms of the size of its supply base. Vietnam continues to benefit as both producers and buyers diversify their supply chains.
Uganda has signed up for the 'Cotton made in Africa’'(CmiA) initiative with an aim to establish country’s competitiveness in domestic cotton. Around 5,400 farmers from Uganda are benefiting from the ‘Aid by Trade Foundation’ (AbTF) after the Western Uganda Cotton Company (WUCC) and registered cotton farmers were verified by the industry body.
CmiA offers cotton farmers training in modern, efficient and sustainable cotton cultivation methods that allow them to increase the quality of their cotton as well as their crop yields and thereby generate higher incomes, and subsequently improve their living conditions. Uganda joins CMiA aftet Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'IIvoire, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique partnered with it.
Around 80 per cent of Uganda's population works in agriculture and related industries and cotton cultivation is one of the main sources of income for the peole belonging to the country’s rural regions. In association with Uganda’s first fully integrated textile company, Fine Spinners, CMiA cotton aims to create a fully integrated textile production chain - from the cotton field to the final product.
www.cotton-made-in-africa.com
Milano Unica XX, the Italian textile trade show showcased Spring/Summer 2016 fabric collections at Fieramilano city from February 3 to 5, 2015. Nearly 353 exhibitors including 64 from other Europe, in addition to 34 firms in the Japan Observatory, displayed latest offerings in fabrics. The importance of Europe and the United States, in addition to other consolidated markets was confirmed by an increase in international buyers.
The most significant figures in both percentage and absolute value came from France with over 12 percent rise in visitors and Great Britain with over 9 percent in Europe. Among non-EU countries worth noting were, US with over 10 percent visitors, China with over 13 percent, Japan, over 29 percent and Turkey over 4 percent. However, marked decreases in buyers were seen from Russia with 29 percent, Germany, 12 percent and Spain, below 6 percent. Despite the optimism of the first day, the presence of Italian buyers was in decline too.
Commenting on the show, President, Silvio Albini, said, “We have finally been able to announce positive results in turnover, export and trade balance for the Italian textile sector, even though the international economic scenario is still uncertain. Also the declaration of Carlo Calenda, Vice-Secretary of Economic Development, who announced important financial support for trade fairs promoting 'Made in Italy' and their globalization; in particular, means support for our Italian Textile TradeShow”.
“Beginning with a complementary and careful selection of production by Japanese exhibitors, we have satisfied new demands from the world of clothing manufacture, greatly appreciated by our traditional exhibitors. Now, our attention shifts to the 7th edition of Milano Unica China, which will be held in Shanghai, March 18-20, 2015. The next edition in Milan, presenting Fall/Winter 2016-17 collections, will take place September 8 to 10, 2015, at the Portello - Fieramilanocity”.
www.milanounica.it
If Pakistan government slaps additional duty on import of cotton yarn from India, the country’s export of value-added textile will dive down from existing $11.49 billion, points out Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Chairman, Pakistan Apparel Forum. He feels the government by supporting spinning textile sector was creating more financial miseries for value-added textile manufacturers and exporters. There is already a 5 per cent import duty on import of cotton yarn which the industry wants the government should withdraw to facilitate apparel textile export to the world.
The proposal of imposing additional duty will greatly hamper the cost of doing business of the vital value-added textile sector whose exports earnings are $11.49 billion more than spinners, he stressed. Bilwani further said that the value-added textile sector will be unable to import cotton yarn from India owing to the 5 percent import duty and the proposal of additional import duty, will greatly increase cost of doing business and make it tough for them to face global competition.
The European Branded Clothing Alliance (EBCA) has asked negotiators of the planned European Union-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership to strike an ambitious agreement. EBCA wants a deal to fully remove tariffs and that either harmonises, or at least leads to, the mutual recognition of standards on clothing and textiles. It wants the EU and the US to work on removing unnecessary testing and move to an international standard for test methods.
Textile and clothing products are still some of the most tariff-protected goods in both Europe and the US. That is why EBCA and its US counterparts, the American Apparel and Footwear Association and the US Fashion Industry Association, would want the full, immediate and reciprocal dismantling of tariffs.
EBCA wants to harmonise textile labeling regulations between the EU and the US, reduce the number of compulsory labeling requirements and keep product labels as simple as possible. It wants flexible rules of origin to encourage the trade and investment of companies using global supply chains.
EBCA is a coalition of European retail clothing brands operating significant global supply chains. It was founded in 2007. Members are committed to upholding rigorous and internationally recognised standards of corporate responsibility across the full range of their operations.
www.ebca-europe.org/
