The deadly collapse of a Bangladesh garment factory shined a light on the unsafe conditions so many of the industry's workers grapple with on a daily basis. Yet any potential for large-scale change remains largely elusive. So for now, here are ten frightening truths that help explain life in the Bangladesh garment industry: It's risky work: Bangladesh garment workers often toil away in unsafe buildings where the exits and windows are often blocked. That's resulted in part in more than 800 gar

At least eight people including a DIG of police & its managing director were killed in a devastating fire at a sweater factory in capital’s Mirpur on Wednesday night. Four of the deceased were identified as managing director Mahabubur Rahman, DIG Monjur Morshed, Comilla distrct Juba League president Sohel Mostofa Sapan and Emadur Rahman Badal. Sources said that most of the workers left the factory at 7:00pm and factory MD and some other officials were at ninth floor of the 11-storey buildi

Vietnam’s textile and apparel exports are expected to grow by 15 percent during 2013, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS). Vietnamese textile & apparel sector witnessed a rise of 32 percent in exports during 2005-11. Last year, the country’s textile and clothing exports earned US$ 17.15 billion, registering an increase of 8.5 percent year-on-year. Speaking to fibre2fashion, vice-chairman of VITAS, Ms. Dung Dang said, “We are expecting 10-15 percent growth i

The footwear industry is set to expand its international cooperation and supply chain for long-term, sustainable growth. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has recommended the footwear sector capitalise on ongoing regional and global production transition trends to achieve higher growth. It says the footwear industry must develop material production and focus on seizing the advantages of modern technology while keeping environmental concerns in mind. The Ministry also stresses

Chinese sports apparel manufacturing firm Hengda Group Holdings Corp. has set its sight on listing in the Philippine Stock Exchange and is buying into a local competitor to establish a footprint in the country. This is the latest on a number of Chinese nationals who brought investments into the Philippines, underscoring the Philippines growing attractiveness, analysts said. Leonardo Arguelles, Unicapital Securities, Inc., managing director, said Hengda intends to raise as much as P3.1 bi

The second chapter of the trademark dispute between Italian fashion house Gucci and mass clothing brand Guess has concluded after an Italian court rejected all claims brought by the Florentine-based label against Guess. Gucci claimed that Guess’ use of various logos including the Gucci diamond pattern, the G logo and the ‘Flora’ pattern infringed on its trademarks, adding that the use of the designs by Guess as “unlawful and parasitic free-riding on Gucci’s trademark and, in general, its brand

Germany-based Qmilk has developed a fibre from milk protein casein, known as Qmilk. It is said to offer comfort, combined with technical performance and sustainability. The Qmilk fibre is protein based and most comparable to silk. Renewable, natural and high quality materials are said to be used to produce it. Qmilk makes use of a waste product from the dairy industry. During the process no waste is accumulated and a maximum of two litres of water is needed during five minutes of pro

Workers produce shoes at Quang Nam Shoes and Leather Co. — VNA/VNS Photo Hong Ky Viet Nam saw a slight recovery in industrial production with the return of a US$1 billion trade deficit in April, according to a report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade yesterday. Statistics showed the industrial production index in April increased by 5.8 per cent over the same month last year and the index of the four-month period rose 5 per cent over the same period last year. The figures reflect

Turkish government filed a flash Anti-dumping Investigation on Polyester FDY Yarns (HS CODE: 540247) against China, India and Malaysia last Friday, 26 April. Investigation was led by main Turkish producers of FDY; namely Korteks, Polyteks-Sinterama and SASA Iplik. Final hearings of both main importers and foreign producers of Polyester FDY will be compiled and the verdict to be reached within a 6 months-1 year time span. Source: yusufkocer.wordpress.com .

Egypt agreed to export 605.5 metric tons of cotton in the week ended May 2, according to the Alexandria Cotton Exporters Association. The country has shipped 66,021.5 tons of the fiber, valued at $194. million, since Sept. 1, the association said today in its weekly bulletin. Exports in the past week included 5.5 tons of the Giza 88 variety, and 600 tons of Giza 86. Source: Bloomberg .