The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia hopes to set common development goals and develop sustainability and inclusiveness of the sector through the newly launched Cambodia Garment, Footwear and Travel Goods [GTF] Sector Development Strategy 2022-2027. Phan PhalIa, Secretary of State, Finance Ministry said, the strategy aims to make the GTF sector in Cambodia environmentally sustainable, resilient, focused on high-value products, unique and highly competitive, as well as a basis to support economic diversification in Cambodia by 2027.

The ministry will launch five strategic measures to achieve the vision, Phalia added. These include: further strengthening human resource capabilities to increase productivity and create viable career paths for workers, improving working conditions and worker welfare; improving domestic and foreign investment with a focus on being high value-added and on high-end products, and promoting market diversification in sector exports.

Pan Sonasak, Minister of Commerce adds, the strategy will contribute significantly to the economic recovery of the Kingdom and complement the new normal economic recovery strategy being implemented in the 2021-2023 period. Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training added, this policy will be a roadmap in “defining a common vision, objectives, goals and strategic plans to manage and strengthen this sector in a ‘Cambodian context’.

Aun Pornmoniroth, Minister of Economy and Finance noted, the strategy will spur the growth of the garment sector both in the short and medium-to-long term. The garment sector will continue to be a potential economic mainstay by expanding and strengthening local industrial bases for exports, and improve on the regional and global value chain,

Kong Sang, Chairman, Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) called for improving trade facilitation through international trade channels and reducing logistics costs.” He added that energy prices and the lack of use of renewable energy remain major challenges, with rates still high compared to other countries in the region. In order to be successful, this strategy needs to be implemented by relevant ministries and institutions under the inter-institutional mechanism led by the Economic and Financial Policy Committee, Sang added.

Denim is in the spotlight again with consumers opting for original raw and authentic fabrics. Denim fabrics produced in a sustainable and transparent way are in demand with brands including J Brand adopting the direct-to-consumer business model to meet changing demands.

New initiatives way forward

As per a Women’s Wear Daily report, Italian brands are reenergizing the denim sector with new initiatives. Distributor of the 3x1 brand, In Style has collaborated with Italian dyer Officina+39 to expand its denim shades. The company uses eco-friendly pigments derived from discarded denim pieces to dye its denims. In 2011, Instyle repurposed 3X1’s signature look by adopting Candiani fabrics and availing Elleti’s laundry services.

Brand Blue of a Kind takes a more sweeping approach. Launched by denim veteran Fabrizio Consoli, the brand considers denim as one of the most versatile and democratic pieces of clothing. Its versatility and ability to transcend trends enables brands to deliver new styles at affordable rates, says Consoli. They also help brands to include denim as part of their commercial collections, he adds.

Tapping the value denim segment

Taking a serious note of sustainability, Blue of a Kind collects vintage denim pieces and unsold stock and gives them a contemporary look and fit. The brand seeks new solutions to convert existing goods into new ones by forming a community of like-minded people, says Consoli. Currently selling denims at high-end price point, Blue of a Kind aims to soon tap into value-driven consumers.

Cristiano Caucci, Brand Manager, Tela Genova, a denim brand operated by FG1936 apparel company doesn’t see any new denim trend emerging. The label reinterprets original selvedge denim cloth from Genoa for a raw aesthetic. With denims becoming a lifestyle product, it’s time for brands to experiment with new styles, adds Consoli.

India’s cotton yarn exports grew 34.77 per cent year-on-year to 110,800 tons in January 2022. However, exports have declined 9.77 per cent on a month-on-month basis, as per a CCF Group report. With a 45 per cent share, Bangladesh remained the largest market for Indian cotton yarn. Exports to the country increased 5 per cent from December 2021

Turkey overtakes China as second largest export market

Earlier the second largest export destination, China was overtaken by Turkey as exports to the nation declined 68.2 per cent on a year-on-year basis and 42.1 per cent on a month-on-month basis. China accounted for about 6.2 per cent of Indian cotton yarn export market in January 2022. Its share declined 4 per cent from December 2021. Turkey’s market share in India’s cotton yarn exports declined 3 per cent. Accounting for 5 per cent market share, Portugal, Egypt and Vietnam emerged as fourth, fifth and sixth largest export markets for India. Peru accounted for 4 per cent, South Korea accounted for 3 per cent, and other countries accounted for less than 3 per cent.

In January 2022, Indian cotton yarn exports to Turkey saw the largest year-on-year increase of 1,408.48 per cent. Exports to China declined significantly from the same period last year. Exports to markets other than Bangladesh, Vietnam, Peru, Columbia and Guatemala also declined on a month-on-month basis. Exports to Bangladesh rose slightly on a month-on-month basis to make it largest export destination in January 2022.

Export of all four varieties to China declines

Export of all four mainstream Indian cotton yarns to China decreased year-on-year and month-on-month in January 2022. Export of carded C8-25S/1 variety of cotton yarn accounted for 55.83 per cent, while its export volume declined by 60.14 per cent to 3,876.71 tons from the same period last year.

Export share of combed C8-25S/1 and C25-30S/1 dropped by 3.78 per cent and 17.17 per cent respectively from the same period last year; while the export of combed C30-47S/1 decreased by 78.87 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The mapping of 723 export-oriented readymade garments factories in Bangladesh under its five-year Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB) initiative shows, the country’s RMG factories employ 2,77,8677 individuals, significantly less than the four million claimed by entrepreneurs. The initiative has mapped 723 export-oriented readymade garment (RMG) factories using factory census approach by mid-March.

Being implemented by Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) of Brac University (BracU), the MiB project is funded by Laudes Foundation and the Netherlands government coordinated by BRAC. The project is also supported by the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE).

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) are strategic partners of the project. The latest MiB data shows, there are 2,754 factories that are members of the BGMEA and BKMEA.

Ravi Sam, Chairman, Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) has appreciated M K.Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and MRK Paneeerselvam for allocating Rs 33,007.68 crore to the Agriculture Department in the State Agriculture Budget for the year 2022-23 which would benefit farmers at large and cotton farmers in particular.

He welcomed the allocation of Rs 15.32 crore in the Budget to enhance cotton yield. The average cotton yield per hectare in the state is around 585 kg as against the world average of 805 kg while over 20 countries achieve over 1,500 kg per hectare, he points out. SIMA Cotton Development & Research Association (SIMA CD&RA) has been closely working with the Department of Agriculture in implementing various schemes relating to cotton.

The state has potential to increase the cotton production from the current level of 5 to 15 lakh bales in five years with the proposed Mission. The state would encourage cultivation of sustainable, extra-long staple cotton and implement the Mission right from the supply of genetically pure seeds, he added.

Sam also appreciated the allocation of funds for setting up of 3,000 solar powered pump sets that would benefit farmers and reduce the burden on government for free power supply to agriculture. He said, the government may increase the allocation for solar pumpset that would greatly benefit TANGEDCO to reduce its losses and also the budget allocation for free power supply to agriculture.

He said the allocation of Rs 150 crore to use machinery to overcome labor shortage will help farmers to increase their net income and in the case of cotton, battery operated Kapas Plucker double their net income. Mechanization would also help farmers improve soil condition, conserve water, increase yield, plan sowing and harvesting in the right time and fetch better revenue. He also welcomed fund allocations for digital agriculture, crop insurance scheme, State Agriculture Development Plan and creation of new soil testing centre in Mayiladuthurai.

German machine manufacturer Mahlo GmbH, will present its wide portfolio of solutions for the textile industry at ITM 2022 on June 14-18. The company will attend the exhibition together with long-time partner Masters Limited, which focuses on straightening and process control technologies for the growing Turkish textile market. They will also introduce a new generation of weft straightening machines, including the Orthopac RVMC-15 weft straightener

As per Adnan Andac, Regional Sales Manager, this will give the company an opportunity to present new equipment. Besides Turkish audience, the event will also be attended by visitors from neighboring countries like Egypt, Uzbekistan, Iran, etc. Mahlo will introduce their latest generation weft straighteners at the exhibition. The company aims to advise textile manufacturers on which systems is right one for their applications and problems.

Having made a name with innovative solutions in the Industry 4.0 concept at the ITMA Barcelona in 2019, Mahlo aims to receive a strong return from the Turkish textile industry at the ITM 2022.

Bangladesh’s lingerie and shapewear exports to the US grew 14.31 per cent in January 2022. According to the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) data, Bangladesh exported lingerie and shapewear worth $16.62 million in January 2022 against $14.54 million exported in January 2021. Lingerie exports to the US are growing as garment manufacturers rush to fill in the void left by China. As per a Textile Today report, the US imported foundation garments worth $260.13 million during the month, a 21.37 per cent Y-o-Y growth.

With 9.61 per cent growth, China’s export of foundation garments to the US totaled $89.08 million. Vietnam’s export grew 28.35 per cent Y-o-Y to $51.30 million. Indonesia shipped $33.29 million lingerie and shapewear to the US– with 81 per cent Y-o-Y growth while Sri Lanka’s shipments grew by 35.11 per cet Y-o-Y to $25.94 million in January ’22,

Ibrahim Burkay, President, Bursa CCI says, the 26th Home Textile and Accessories Fair (Hometex) is the perfect opportunity to forge new ties and promote sectoral development at international level. To be held at the Istanbul Expo Centre from May 17 to 21, spread over 200,000 sq. mt. and 11 halls, Hometex will feature national and international prominent manufacturers of curtains, towels, blankets, carpets, upholstery fabrics, and other home-textile products this year.

The expo will showcase textile products from numerous countries, including Turkey, France, Italy, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Spain and the US. Besides, it will be an ideal venue for networking where both national and international movers and shakers will converge in upon home textile sector.

The event will also feature a dedicated “Trend Area” that will showcase all the latest home-textile trends, B2Bs and seminars attended by prominent designers and innovators. According to Hasan Huseyin Bayram, President, Turkish Home-Textile Industrialists and Business People Association (Tetsiad), the event will be the first major sectoral trade fair in the post-pandemic period..

Organized by Tetsiad and the Global Fair Agency, the five-day event will kick off in Yesilkoy.

The 15th edition of trade show Fibers & Yarns will be held at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai from April 7 to 9. It will attract both Indian and international exhibitors. Around 500 businesses will exhibit their wares and launch products. It will welcome between 20,000 and 50,000 trade visitors from across the country and abroad.

The trade show will showcase raw materials used in weaving and knitting including those obtained from both indigenous and international sources. The materials to be exhibited include: polyester, polypropylene, acrylic and viscose fibres, polyester-nylon-polypropylene-acrylic-viscose-cuprammonium and acetate filament yarns, natural fibres, cotton, cellulosic, silk, wool, and angora, etc.

Being held in India since the last 14 years, the trade show reported a footfall ofover 8,000 at its most recent physical edition in 2019. For its 2022 edition, health and safety measures will be enforced to slow the spread of COVID-19 in line with official regulations in Maharashtra. The exhibition will provide an ideal platform to develop, interact, nurture and strengthen direct contacts with thousands of Indian weavers and knitters from all over India, says Tecoya Trend Publications, the event’s organizer.

Asian brands are adopting a cautious approach to massive exodus from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. As per an Al Jazeera report, of the more than 370 global companies that have withdrawn, suspended or scaled back operations in Russia, majority of them belong to Europe or North America. On the other hand, Asian brands are being more pragmatic about the issue.

Asian brand are protesting in more subtle and less activist way, says Martin Roll, a brand strategy consultant who advises Asian family-owned firms and family offices. Indeed, several of the prominent brands are making pledges to UN agencies and charities working in Ukraine. Other firms have simply kept quiet. Taiwanese tech brands ASUS, MSI and Acer have all declined media inquiries on the issue,

Although crucial US allies such as Japan and South Korea have followed Washington in imposing sanctions, most countries in the region have declined to join the pressure campaign against Moscow. Some, including China and Myanmar, have taken the crisis as an opportunity to accuse the US and its allies of stirring up tensions and conflict.