The leather industry of Punjab is facing a shortage of quality hide due to social and political pressure even though cattle head count of the state stands only second to Uttar Pradesh in the country.The prevailing ban on slaughter, lack of proper flaying (removal of skin) and finally poor quality leather has turned to be the bane for the industry.According to Mr Ashok Sharma, the Council of Leather Exports (CLE) member based at Jalandhar, the last decade has witnessed a marked decline in the qua

As a part of major step towards rejuvenation and augmentation of infrastructure of Handloom sector in the state, the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma inaugurated the Wool and Woolen Design Development Centre of State Handloom Development Corporation constructed at a cost of Rs 1.30 crore at Rambagh here today. The Centre sanctioned under Prime Minister? Economic Package is equipped with latest technology like chemical and physical testing laboratory, resource room, CAD Lab, workshop a

Terming it "inevitable," Brazil will soon introduce trade safeguards over Mercosur members?and Argentina, in particular, reported Sao Paulo based financial press. Quoting unidentified sources, the media said in order to protect the local industry, measures are being mooted and governments of Argentina and Brazil will soon enter in to formal talks.An ?nformal?quota system is already adopted by businessmen from the two countries dealing in products such as refrigerators and foot wear. Even the Gov

During January - May 2005, the Chinese Customs have revealed country's total foreign trade (import-export) reaching US $522.78 billion.The increase was 23.2 percent over that registered during the same period last year, said the communique.Export stood at $276.4 billion, recording 33.2 percent rise, while import crossed $246.38 billion, showing 13.7 percent increase over last year, same period. The five month gross textile and apparel trade stood at $46.42 billion, which climbed by 19.3 percent

Cotton prices slightly rose in China amid tight supply and lower demand. Import prices were sharply higher, leaving room for a new increase in domestic prices. With US embargoes looming, however, processors continue keeping stocks at extremely low levels. Already confronted with excess production, China's spinners are waiting for more information about the coming level in apparel exports. As US embargoes are looming on China's exports in a few major apparel categories, cotton buying was suspen

World textile market leader Saurer Textile has acquired Grap Group.By acquiring Graf Group, Saurer continues in its strategy of strengthening its spare parts and service business. Saurer? Total Solution offer is thus extended to include solutions for carding and combing machines.Saurer signed a purchase contract to acquire 100% of the share capital of Hogra Holding AG, the parent company of Graf Group. The acquisition is expected to be completed in fall 2005.Hogra Holding AG, domiciled in Freien

End of global textiles agreement leads to worsening labour conditions in the PhilippinesNew ICFTU report submitted to the WTODespite having ratified all eight core labour standards, labour violations in the Philippines continue unabated, according to an ICFTU report released today to coincide with that country's trade policy review at the WTO this week.The report shows serious shortcomings in the application and enforcement of all eight core labour standards, in particular in the clothing and te

Footwear industry insiders from China and some European countries are calling for a solution to China's trade disputes with the European Union (EU). "We hope the EU's anti-dumping suit against China can be solved through negotiations instead of imposing trade barriers," said Massimo Donda, president of the Italian association for footwear retailers. Just like the textile frictions that were settled through consultations between Beijing and Brussels, he said he believes the two sides should find

A crucial vote last night in the US senate saw senators give their thumbs up to CAFTA - the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The battle will now pass to the House in July where the outcome is expected to be closer than that in the Senate where the vote was eventually won 54-45. Just a day after the Senate Finance Committee voted to send CAFTA to the full Senate, a close vote eventually gave the bill the green light. It will now come under scrutiny in the House of Representatives after

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi said in Beijing Monday that China hopes France will play a positive role in promoting the steady development of Sino-EU textile trade. Wu told visiting French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Christine Lagarde that textile trade is an important part of Sino-EU trade and it has been proved that problems in textile trade can be solved through exchanges and consultation. China and the European Union signed a textile trade memorandum in June which prevented text