Garment exports hit hard in October as order bookings didn’t happen due to the ambiguities relating to GST. The fall is one of the highest in percentage term, the worst performing export category in October, as per the data with the union commerce ministry. With readymade garment exports plunging 40.7 percent on a year-on-year (yoy) basis to Rs 5,398 crore in October, exporters have blamed the slump on financial crunch due to the delay in getting GST refunds and reduction in duty drawback rat

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC), Cambodia during a meeting on Tuesday with representatives from global clothing brands and unions, said that the garment sector is burdened by low productivity brought about by outdated technology, which sinks the country into low positions within global value chains. Hence, the government has called on international buyers to participate in the investment, increase investment in the garment and footwear sector and to introduce new technologies to help modernise

The meeting, organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the European Trade Policy and Investment Support Project (EU-Mutrap), was held to help exporters take advantage of the EV-FTA when it takes effect in 2019. Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, vice chairwoman and general secretary of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso), said the EV-FTA would increase exports because of lower tariffs and contribute to eliminating other trade barriers. However, Vietnamese leather and

China is on a steady track to meet its 2017 growth target despite some short-term fluctuations as the government focuses on quality over speed in its pursuit of economic growth. After a strong performance in the first three quarters, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed growth of factory output, investment and consumption in October all slowed a notch from the previous month. Industrial value-added output expanded 6.2 percent year-on-year in October, slowing from 6.6

Seed cotton (phutti) equivalent to over 9.3 million bales reached ginneries across Pakistan till November 15, registering an increase by 6.58 per cent compared to corresponding period of last year. According to a fortnightly report of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), out of total arrivals, 8.2 million or 82,10761 bales have undergone the ginning process. Arrivals in Punjab were recorded at over 5.5 million or 55,44817 bales , recording a percentage increase of 3.07 per cent. Arr

Long staple cotton production in Egypt will be expanded and 128 firms owned by the public business sector are being renovated to boost production, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said inaugurating the second ‘Destination Africa’ fair for apparel and textiles at Cairo recently. The government also is keen on renovating public spinning and weaving firms, he said. The two-day fair last week was jointly organized by the Egyptian Government and the Egyptian Exporters Association – Expolink. Egyp

Research is needed for producing new resistant varieties ofcottonas it is the most profitable crop in thecountry, Pakistan’s minister for national food security and research Sikandar Hayat Bosan said at a recent meeting in Lahore on cotton seed attended by federal secretaries, owners and representatives of private seed companies, and researchers. The only option to increase per acre lint yield is by applying modern technology as sucking and chewing pests are damaging cotton crop in Pakistan r

Huntsman Textile Effects, a leader in high quality dyes and chemicals for textile industries, has unveiled the new PHOBOTEX RSY non-fluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) that raises the standard for repellency on high-performance synthetic textiles. PHOBOTEX RSY delivers best-in-class performance to support non-fluorinated formulations. The new product will allow brands and retailers to meet global demand for eco-friendly clothing that require extreme rain- and stain- protection. PHO

The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) has welcomed including certain leather products in the lower slab of the goods and services tax (GST), saying the decision will boost the sector’s growth. Reducing GST on leather goods and finished leather to 18 per cent and 5 per cent respectively is a big relief, according to CLE chairman Mukhtarul Amin. Goods on which the GST Council recommended reduction in rate from 28 per cent to 18 per cent include clothing accessories of leather, guts, furskin, a

The 20 per cent rise in cotton yarn prices due to cartelization by local manufacturers, who are holding stock to create artificial shortage, has hit the export-oriented Pakistani apparel sector hard, says the Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), which has urged the government to take measures to address the issue. PRGMEA (north zone) senior vice chairman Sheikh Luqman Amin said the export target would not be achieved due to high energy cost and discrim