The Laos clothing manufacturing industry is planning a major publicity campaign to attract more employees, aiming to double its workforce to 60,000 by 2015. The move comes from the Association of the Lao Garment Industry, whose training arm, the Garment Skills Development Centre (GSC), will release detailed information of the supposed benefits of taking jobs in the sector. By international standards, these are low, but Laos is poor - 2011 World Bank data reported its annual gross national

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. put some distance Monday between it and the clothing factory in Bangladesh that caught fire over the weekend, killing more than 100 people. The factory in question was no longer authorized to produce merchandise for Wal-Mart, the company said. "A supplier subcontracted work to this factory without authorization and in direct violation of our policies. Today, we have terminated the relationship with that supplier," Wal-Mart said. The clothing factory, housed in a mul

With the Chinese government easing restrictions on foreign investment in naphtha cracking in the mainland, Formosa Plastics Group, the largest supplier of plastics in Taiwan, has decided to resume its grand investment in setting up manufacturing base of ethylene in Ningbo, eastern China. Building a petroleum complex, including oil refineries, naphtha cracking plants and downstream factories of petroleum products, in China was one of the biggest investments proposed by the group's late chairman

China's major sportswear brands are suffering from a decline in new orders during a transitional period, mainly due to intensified competition and a sagging market amid the economic slowdown, market analysts said Sunday. Domestic sportswear producer Xtep International Holdings announced over the weekend that the advance orders it received for the second quarter of 2013 decreased by about 15 to 20 percent year-on-year. "After a decade of expansion, the sportswear industry is suffering rising i

Top 10 Categories in Rising Top 10 Categories in Falling 1 Thread & Rope 1.51% 1 Natural Fiber Grey Cloth -1.35% 2 Nylon Fabrics 1.35% 2 Cotton Fabric -0.93% 3 Fashion Fabric 1.35% 3 Cotton/Linen -0.88% 4 Nylon/Cotton Fabric 0.79% 4 Other Chemical Fiber -0.69% 5 Apparel Linings 0.65% 5 Polyester/ Wool Fabric -0.59% 6 Polyester Fabric 0.45% 6 Blended -0.48% 7 Lining 0.38%

Price Index Forecast The transactions in the traditional trade zone and corpora ionized trade zone are predicted to increase, the trading early winter fabrics will increase, creative fabrics will still have the advantage in marketing, the prices will basically keep stable. But the sales of general fabric are still lacking, the margin of general fabric reduced and the competitiveness weakened. Sorce: Keqiao Index

Aiding homeowners decorate their homes, features an eclectic range of products, including curtains, fabrics and cushions. This season, Terrys Fabrics has announced the launch of a new bedroom range which looks to offer bedding, cushions, curtains and much more to help transform the bedroom for less. Terrys Fabrics has become known for its fine array of products which help homeowners decorate their homes with ease and style. With Christmas fast approaching, homeowners are preparing for visitors

Tens of thousands of Indonesian protestors took to the streets of Jakarta on Wednesday and Thursday to demand higher wages, better working conditions and free health care. The Southeast Asian nation is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, but not all Indonesians are enjoying the benefits of economic growth, as almost 40 per cent, or up to 20 million, of 35 million people working in the formal sector, have been underpaid and left unprotected. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Indonesi

Indonesian textile producers have predicted that imported garments will take over the domestic market as local garment makers grapple with falling competitiveness prompted by higher wages. Ade Sudrajad Usman, the chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association (API), forecast the value of imported garments next year to grow 36 percent to Rp 75 trillion ($7.8 billion). This year, API expected garment imports to value Rp 55 trillion. “Every year, the local producers’ contribution should impro