Pakistan’s textile exports declined 1.42 per cent during the eight months of current financial year 2020-21 as compared to the corresponding month of last year. As per State Bank of Pakistan, from July 2020-February 2021, Pakistan exported textile and its articles worth $9057.503 million against the exports of $9152.889 million during July 2019-February 2020, showing negative growth of 1.42 percent, says Business Recorder.

Exports of textile commodities like man-made staple fibers grew by 0.65 per cent from $206.962 million last year to $208.318 million during the period under review. Apparel and clothing accessories exports rose 1.63 per cent from $2247.134 million to $2058.455 million while the exports of other made-up textiles also increased by 9.86 percent from $2692.131 million to $2957.635 million.

On the other hand, export of cotton declined 21.44 percent from $2215.134 million to $1740.110 million while the export of man-made filaments also decreased by 34.02 percent from $36.526 million to $24.097 million.

Nike has launched an initiative to resell its own sneakers. As per Spin-Off reports, the initiative known as ‘Nike Refurbished’ resells a returned pair of sneakers after cleaning and refurbishing it by hand and grading it as either ‘new’, ‘gently worn or ‘cosmetically flawed’ The sneakers are subsequently sent back to the sale-at-select Nike Factory, Nike Unite, and Nike Community stores.

These shoes are priced on the basis of the type and condition grade. Messaging on the boxes makes it easy for customers to see what kind of shoes are inside, the condition grade, etc. Customers can also get additional information about Nike’s ‘Move to Zero Sustainability’ program through a scan of the box’s QR code

Nike Refurbished is available in 15 US Nike stores. The brand plans to expand to more US-based retail destinations throughout 2021 and beyond.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has released new human rights guidelines for the apparel and footwear industry in Vietnam in partnership with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). The guidelines aim to support businesses in understanding some of the key human rights challenges in the apparel and footwear industry and how to appropriately respond.

Vietnam’s apparel and footwear industry accounts for nearly 20 per cent of exports and employment of approximately 2.5 million people. The industry faces many challenges related to realization of human rights, particularly following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines were developed under the ‘Advancing Responsible Business Conduct’ Project, collaboration between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Commission. The program is supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) reports, nearly $5 billion worth of Vietnam’s exports to the EU benefited from preferential tariffs under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The MoIT said FTAs have helped the country achieve fast and sustainable exports, gradually reducing its dependence on single or certain markets. Certificates of origin have helped it achieve about 32-34 per cent of annual export revenue benefit from preferential treatment under FTAs, showing that Vietnamese businesses and goods are increasingly tapping into concessionary tariffs in the markets having FTAs with the country

As per the MoIT, from August 1, 2020, when the EVFTA took effect, to April 4 this year, authorized agencies and organizations in Vietnam granted about 127,300 sets of the certificate of origin form EUR 1 for nearly $4.8 billion of exports to the 27 EU countries.

Besides, enterprises shipping goods to the EU also conducted self-certification of origin for more than $10.88 million worth commodities to utilize preferential tariffs. The beneficiary items were mainly footwear, aquatic products, textile-garment, farm produce, and electronic products, the MoIT said.

Organizers of textile and garment technology exhibition, ITMA expect the 2023 edition of the exhibition to be as successful as the 2015 edition held in Milan. They have expanded R&D efforts to launch new machines at the upcoming exhibition. It also aims to conduct face-to-face interactions with its customers and partners, says Beat Meienberger, CEO, Benninger AG/

The organizers aim to profile their products more prominently besides launching innovative solutions in warp knitting, flat knitting, warp preparation and digitalization. CEMATEX, the industry

ITMA is attended by decision-makers from the world's top textile and garment producers and leading brand owners to gather market intelligence and forge collaborative partnerships. ITMA 2023 will set the stage for the world’s top manufacturers of textile and garment technologies to unveil exciting innovations to a global audience across four key pillars; advanced materials, automation and digital future, innovative technologies and sustainability and circularity.

Gerber Technology has upgraded its software offerings AccuMark® Product Family and CutWorks which will help manufactuers reduce costs and optimize the manufacturing process. Gerber’s latest software releases will enable manufacturers to handle price rise by making processes more transparent and traceable. It will help them reduce errors, improve sustainability, increase material utilizations via a unique nesting algorithm and reduce costs.

Gerber’s CutWorks software is designed to be customized based on business needs. The software accepts pattern data in a variety of formats and turns it into a cut job for a cutter. The V13 release of the software focuses heavily on improving nesting engines, maximizing precision with enhancements to ManualNest and offering more visibility into the supply chain. CutWorks allows companies to design to cost faster and without error. Gerber will offer enhanced training to ensure all operators are able to get up to speed quickly.

Gerber has enhanced its AccuMark product range includes AccuMark, AccuPlan™ and AccuNest™, The newest release focuses on adding more integration and automation for a streamlined, CAD to cut room workflow that seamlessly connects with your ERP system and other tools you’re already using. With the latest version of the AccuMark Product Family, manufacturers will not only accelerate time to market but also improve quality, reduce errors and provide better control over their final product. The latest version of Gerber’s cut planning software, AccuPlan, and automated nesting software, AccuNest, boost productivity by as much as 80% and offer an average fabric saving cost of 1.5 percent.

The Pakistan government has refused monetary compensation for the cotton sector for export orders it booked on the presumption that Pak Rupee would further depreciate against the US dollar. Government said, the consequences of their decisions need to be borne by commercial entities themselves.

Some VAS representatives recently met Prime Minister’s Adviser on Commerce Textile and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood to seek compensation for their losses. These representatives contended that they did not book the rupees in advance presuming rupee depreciation would continue. However, the unprecedented depreciation of the US dollar and appreciation of Pak Rupee from 165 to 152 has inflicted loss to the VAS exporters.

The VAS representatives also complained about non-availability of yarn. The officials said that they have been told that not yarn availability but prices have been the bone of contention all along. The officials said All Pakistan Textile Manufacturers Association (APTMA) has already refused to support the VAS demand for monetary compensation for the loss it sustained due to its commercial decisions and its stance on the availability of yarn.

The official said that according to APTMA, all-time high cotton prices in other countries resulted in increasing yarn prices. Currently Indian markets are temporarily having excess yarn due to COVID-19 as last year their exports fell significantly. Indian merchants are willing to sell their inventory at lower prices. Despite this, APTMA has never demanded the government allow import of cotton from India. It believes that the policy on the acquisition of non-operational/ sick/ in-troubled units will address the yarn shortage by adding 1,000 tons per day or 30,000 tons per month due to the addition of 600,000 spindles to operational capacity.

Dario Nardella, Mayor, Florence has urged the Italian government to hold the 100th edition of Pitti Uomo Show physically as it would symbolize the restarting of the Italian economy. As per a Spin-Off report, the in-person edition of Pitti will also mark a restart of all the physical trade shows in Italy, which would obviously respect all security protocols.

Other show and organization mangers such as Claudio Luti, President, Milan Design Week, Antonella Mansi, Centro di Firenze per la Moda Italiana; Claudio Marenzi, President, Pitti Immagine, and Marino Vago, President, Sistema Moda Italia, have also Nardella’s requests for physical shows.

Nardella also urged the government to change the scheduled dates for the next edition of Pitti Uomo from the current June 15-17 to mid-July. This will give buyers and companies a greater chance of attending the show in Florence, he said.

Raffaello Napoleone, CEO, Pitti Immagine has also agreed to Nardella’s proposals. The time for preparing the men’s show are very tight. The show has its times and costs as buyers need time to arrive from China and Japan also, he said.

Jeanologia has launched its first Road to Mission Zero collection in partnership with Cone Denim. The collection showcases authentic, sustainable options from fabric to finish. The collection will launch at the upcoming Kingspins 24 show.

Cone Denim Mills and Jeanologia will present the first Road to Mission Zero collection, on the Earth Day at Kingpins24, a collection where heritage, sustainability and innovation are present from the fabric to the finish.

The collection has been developed across a full range of sustainable finishes, with a wide scale of wash levels, nice high and lows done with atmospheric finishing and keeping the authenticity of the traditional stone washed look. By integrating Jeanologia technologies and using them as part of the denim eco-system, we can eliminate highly inefficient and hazardous practices and create amazing denim and jeans without sacrificing denim’s authentic look and iconic soul.

Since 1994 Jeanologia’s mission has been to create an ethical, sustainable, and eco-efficient industry through its disruptive technology and know-how. Their laser, G2 ozone, e-flow, Smart Boxes and H2Zero, have revolutionized the textile industry. The company offers infinite design and garment finishing possibilities while saving water, energy, and chemicals, eliminating discharge and toxic emissions. Over 35 per cent of its 5 billion jeans produced worldwide every year are made with their technologies, and the biggest market brands place their trust in Jeanologia, using technology developed by the company.

Fashion Week Istanbul was launched today as virtual four-day event featuring 30 established and upcoming designers, including Dice Kayek and Zeynep Tosun, who have all produced short films to showcase their collections.

This season the biannual event is being relaunched by the Istanbul Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB), under the leadership of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Trade, after ending their ongoing partnership with Mercedes-Benz.

The fashion event is also being supported by the Turkey Promotion Group (TTG), the Fashion Designers Association (MTD) and Istanbul Fashion Academy (IMA) established under Turkey Exporters Assembly (TIM).

Organizers are looking to introduce Turkish designers and brands to a global audience, as they look to transform Turkey as an important hub in the global fashion industry, beyond its current identity as a leading apparel and textile manufacturer. It hopes to accelerate this through the creation of a Turkish Fashion Council, to not only nurture local talent but to help develop partnerships to drive forward the Turkish fashion industry.

On the opening day, New Gen by Istanbul Fashion Academy will place the spotlight on five young talents, Aycan Hakalmaz, Ezgi Yildirim, Beyza Eyuboglu, Avishan Daneshfar, and Essin Baris, followed by fashion films from Mehmet Emiroglu, Ceren Ocak, Niyazi Erdoğan, Nedo by Nedret Taciroğlu, Tagg, Lug Von Siga and Dice Kayek.

Other designers taking part includes Çiğdem Akın, Cihan Nacar, the Museum of Fine Clothing, Hakaan Yıldırım, Hatice Gökçe, Mehtap Elaidi, Meltem Özbek, Mert Erkan, Murat Aytulum, Nej, Nihan Peker, Özgür Masur, Özlem Kaya, Özlem Süer, Sudi Etuz, Red Bears, Tuba Ergin, Tuvanam, Y Plus, Zeynep Erdoğan, and Zeynep Tosun.