H&M, the single largest buyer of garments from Bangladesh, is ‘dramatically behind schedule’ in making improvements in the factories it sources from, according to a study released October 1 by the Clean Clothes Campaign, in collaboration with several labour groups. The report only looked at H&M’s ‘Platinum’ and ‘Gold’ suppliers — the factories that supposedly boast the highest standards in labour and environmental protections. They account for 56 of the 229 factories H&M uses in

Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan has blamed the lack of value addition and rising cost of doing business for the falling exports. While addressing the opening ceremony of a four-day exhibition organised by Pakistan Carpet Manufac­turers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) on Tuesday, he said that the prime minister would announce a relief package for export oriented sector this week. The package would include reduction in cost of doing business, cut in power tariff and ease in loc

China's exports of textiles and garment surged 5.78% month-on-month in August to near US$ 28.83 billion, according the figures released by the General Administration of Customs on September 8. The exports of textile yarn, fabric and made-up goods edged up moderately over July to US$ 9.74 billion, while the exports of garment and accessories climbed 7.6% month-on-month to near US$ 19.09 billion. In January-August of 2015, China's exports of textiles and garment totaled about US$ 193.32 billio

German retail giant Lidl will increase its garment purchase from Bangladesh by 20 percent in 2015 as the company thinks the country is still competitive for low prices. In 2014, the company purchased 251 million pieces of apparel from Bangladesh, Markus Reinken, buying director of Lidl, said in an interview with The Daily Star in Narayanganj. Currently, the company purchases garments worth $700-$800 million from Bangladesh a year, said a company official. “Bangladesh is an important sou

A conference was organized last week in Sri Lanka with the participation of the delegation and members of the textile industry where a three team members delegation representing the Chinese government were present to brief on the Chinese regulations and testing standards, and trends in global textile testing. The Chinese market is vast and growing but many countries have failed to break into the textile market due to the lack of knowledge of their standards. Their standards are different to t

Suzhou Glacier Import & Export Co. Ltd, a Chinese global textile manufacturer plans to set up a new plant in Travelers Rest, it will be the first factory outside of China for the company that will make textiles for the automotive industry. The company’s president, Wilber Xu, said that the company will be investing $24 million to open a new manufacturing facility in a 170,000 square foot existing building. It is expected to hire 109 people in the new jobs. Xu said that his company was

In August of this year, China imported 70,000 tons of cotton, a drop of 36,000 tons by 33.96% from July, down 130,000 tons or 65.0% from a year earlier. From last September to this August, China’s cotton import totaled 1.67 million, down near 1.33 million tons or 44.4% year-on-year. The cotton import totaled slightly over 1.10 million tons in the first eight months of this year. Source: China Textile Leader Express

India will lead in production of cotton in 2015/16, says the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates and will surpass China as the top producer this season. While yields in India remain well below the world average, India is forecast to produce 29 million bales in 2015/16 or 27 per cent of the global cotton crop. According to USDA, India's ascension to the world's leading-producer status largely results from having the most cotton area. Harvested area in India is expected t

Export of textile and clothing witnessed a negative growth of 46 per cent in the first two months of the current fiscal year from a year ago. The fall in export proceeds was being witnessed for the past few months despite GSP-Plus scheme, suggested data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics released on Monday. In July and August 2015, export proceeds fell to $2.136 billion from $2.160bn over the corresponding months of last year, a decline of 46pc. Product-wise details show that export of

Cotton is the second major cash crop after sugarcane in Swaziland and the main source of income for small scale famers, especially those in drought prone areas. The cotton industry is currently under performing yet the cotton industry used to be a source of livelihood for 40 000 Swazis. Farmers grow cotton to pay school fees, build houses, buy food and clothes. The decline of cotton prices in world markets has resulted to a price drop locally. Swaziland Cotton Board Chief Executive Officer Da