Bangladesh’s garment exports to non-traditional markets grew 36.21 per cent year on year in the current fiscal year's first six months. This was made possible by a stimulus package and duty-free market access. Apart from the US, European Union and Canada all others are considered non-traditional or emerging markets for Bangladesh. Of those, eleven are performing stronger than others. Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Turkey are the eleven stronger markets.

Garment exports to non-traditional markets have been growing since 2010-11 with a five per cent cash incentive as a stimulus package to offset the fallout of the financial recession that affected the global economy in 2007 and 2008. The stimulus package has encouraged exporters to start exploring new markets. Most of these new markets have duty-free access facility for Bangladeshi exporters.

Japan extends duty-free trade privilege to garments imported from least developed countries to reduce overdependence on China. Similarly, China, the largest apparel supplier worldwide, has also been turning into a major export destination for Bangladesh. China also allows duty-free access to over 5,000 Bangladeshi products, most of which are garment items. India, Brazil, Mexico and Chile are also turning into major export destinations for Bangladesh.

From January 14 to 17, three international buyers invited by Texbrasil carried out through a partnership between Apex-Brasil and Abit. The buyers fulfilled a business agenda in Sao Paulo and made purchases worth $50,000, with expectations to spend an additional $2,00,000 over the next 12 months.

The group includes Colombia’s María Clara Suescún, representing Agua Bendita and Per’s Narciza Victoria Huerta and Jimmy Moreno Hurta, of Mundo Moda, who took part in meetings at the Lunelli, Kalimo and Rosset companies, in addition to visiting the Inspiramais, focused on innovation in materials.

Texbrasil is the Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program. Apex-Brasil is the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. Abit is the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association.

The companies at the show were also visited by buyers. A total of 12 Texbrasil member companies showed their launches to the public and to international guests. For María Clara Suescún, a buyer for the boutique beachwear label Água Bendita, the thing that most caught her attention was Brazilian companies’ innovation. She was unfamiliar with this side of Brazilian industry and saw lots of technology and interesting products over these last few days.

ASEAN and the EU confirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation at the 22nd ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting on in Brussels. Both agreed to harness cooperation in shared fields of interest and concern like economy, trade, investment, connectivity, climate change, counter terrorism, cyber security, sustainable development, maritime security and trans-national crime prevention, at the meeting.

On the basis of bilateral deals between EU and ASEAN countries, both sides agreed to step up efforts towards ASEAN-EU free trade agreement. They also reached a consensus of upgrading ASEAN-EU strategic partnerships based on relations and adopted a statement satisfying both sides during the meeting. The ministers also exchanged views on complex and unpredictable developments on global economic and political situations. They agreed to continuously coordinate in the promotion of multilateral, open, fair and rule based trade systems, while working closely on resolving challenges, enhance dialogue, prevent conflicts and build trust.

The European Union is the second biggest partner in trade for ASEAN with the bilateral trade reaching $261 billion in 2017, up 11.9 percent from previous year. It is also one of the largest sources of FDI to ASEAN with its direct investment hitting $25.4 billion in 2017, which accounts for 18.6 per cent of the total FDI in the ASEAN region.

Bangladesh has asked Accord to draw up a time-bound responsibility handover arrangement. The observations include Accord’s transition mechanism to be focused on a smooth transition of management of factories from the platform to the Remediation Coordination Cell (RCC). In September last year, the European Union-based platform submitted an exit plan to end its ongoing workplace safety activities in the country’s readymade garment sector in six phases. Accord’s proposed transition plan mainly put attention on remediation of the factories, RCC’s capacity building, including setting up a liaison office of Accord within it, handover of Accord’s safety committee, safety training program and its safety complaints mechanism.

Accord, a platform of more than 200 global apparel brands, retailers and rights groups based mostly in Europe, was formed immediately after the Rana Plaza building collapse to improve workplace safety in the country’s apparel industry for five years that ended in May last. Bangladesh allowed a six-month extension until November 30 while the platform wants to stay for more time. Accord has so far handed over responsibilities of its inspected 100 garment factories, which fully completed all the required remediation work.

In phases three and four, Accord has proposed gradual handover of its safety committee, training program and complaints mechanism.

"With Brexit on a knife edge, many designers and small-time manufacturers doubt whether the bi-annual catwalk event London Fashion Week holds anything for them. A slowdown in customer spending has triggered cautiousness in the rag trade. Luxury retailer Harrods is increasing its spring/summer stock to protect the exposed areas of its business ahead of the March 29 deadline. As the Business of Fashion website points out, the UK fashion sector may face disruptions in key imports besides losing access to international talent if the UK fails to reach a deal to soften the country's exit from the European Union."

With Brexit on a knife edge, many designers and small-time manufacturers doubt whether the bi-annual catwalk event London Fashion Week holds anything for them. A slowdown in customer spending has triggered cautiousness in the rag trade. Luxury retailer Harrods is increasing its spring/summer stock to protect the exposed areas of its business ahead of the March 29 deadline. As the Business of Fashion website points out, the UK fashion sector may face disruptions in key imports besides losing access to international talent if the UK fails to reach a deal to soften the country's exit from the European Union.

Custom clearances, increased prices cause concern

Meanwhile, Irish designers, manufacturers and retailers are dealing with new worries, such as customs clearance and the challenges around pricing, tariffs, sourcing production and fabrics that would come with a No Deal Brexit. There's the prospect of international customs and temporary export-import documents being reintroduced.

For the fashion-loving consumer, there's the annoying prospect of increased costs, potential shipping and customs delays hitting delivery times. For online shoppers, there's the added disappointment of an end to free delivery from some sites. Eddie Shanahan, retail consultant and founder of the Council of Irish Fashion Designers (CIFD), last season led a group of Irish designers to a show in London. Although initially their enthusiasm was high, it dampened after a hugely successful show in aid of the London Irish Centre in Camden. Their optimism about how they can now tap into in that market was tinged with concerns.

A direct blow to sales

Brexit could directly hit brand sales. For designer Heidi Higgins, sales through its online store would be the major challenge, while Designer Niamh O'Neill fears that tariffs could push up prices. The prospect of increased costs on favorite British labels is enough to dampen the dreams of those harboring dreams of entering the industry. The graduate collection of for student could be hit too, a reason why many students are buying fabrics through wholesalers in Britain.

Exploring new avenues

The FeeG label has successfully diversified its business outside UK. It has established a foothold in Italy and Jewish markets in Israel and New York. Dublin designer Jennifer Rothwell is focusing on exporting to the Middle East, Dubai in particular. She says, Brexit would not massively affect the brand’s UK sales as it is a high-end luxury brand and plans to set up some US pop-ups later in the year to continue brand expansion in the US.

After 21 years of working with Fruit of the Loom in Co Donegal, Bernie Murphy’s skills as a garment technologist and product development were made redundant. Two years ago she launched her own fashion label starting with a distinctive smocked scarf followed by striking tweed pieces for which she sources her fabrics and yarns in her own native county. Her fashion tale is a positive one in an industry where so many designers have had their creative impulses cut to the quick by fear.

The global footwear market is expanding at a CAGR of 3.1 per cent between 2018 and 2026. Shoe knitting technology is becoming widespread. This contributes to less waste and reduced labor costs, and also lends itself to customization and speed to market.

The ongoing digitization of the creation process, such as the use of advanced CAD programs, will also gain momentum in 2019. Digitization allows for access to better materials and is also a way to create sample shoes without actually having to go to a factory and build them. Digital resolutions are now extremely high, making it easy to see complex design details, and the use of 3-D printing means that a brand can print a single shoe in multiple color ways, thus saving time and money in the selection process.

The use of sustainable and recycled materials and eco-friendly manufacturing processes is a top priority. Brands are reducing waste in supply chains and at the factory and using materials that are sustainable. Part of this involves things like transforming the operations process. The other part requires companies to consider making adjustments in production and considering how they could reuse or sell waste instead of discarding it.

Credits ratings firm Fitch Ratings has upgraded Levi Strauss & Co.‘s long term issuer default rating. The upgrade has the rating now at “BB+” from “BB.” The upgrade recognises Levi’s stable performance, with accelerating growth in revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) in 2018, as well a meaningful cash flow generation.

As David Silverman, the primary analyst wrote the upgrade report, Levi’s top-line has accelerated, with 8 per cent revenue growth in fiscal 2017, ended November 2017, and 11 percent growth expected in fiscal 2018. The company’s merchandising and branding efforts are bearing fruit, with strong growth across categories and geographies. Levi’s offering are trendsetting and the company is successfully exploiting opportunities to capitalize on this momentum through new product assortments, brand and celebrity collaborations, and square-footage expansion.

H&M’s fourth quarter net sales rose y 12 per cent to SEK 56.4 billion. Its online sales rose by 24 per cent in SEK. Gross profit in the quarter reached SEK 30.6 billion, with a gross margin of 54.2 per cent, as the cost of markdowns declined by 0.6 percentage points. Quarterly profit after financial items declined 11 per cent to SEK 4.35 billion.

For the full year, net sales increased 5 per cent to SEK 210.4 billion, with sales and market share rising in most markets during the second half, the company also said. Its online sales increased by 22 per cent to about SEK 30 billion, reaching 14.5 percent of total sales. Gross profit for 2018 was SEK 110.9 billion as gross margin reached 52.7 per cent. Profit after financial items was SEK 15.6 billion and profit after tax was SEK 12.65 billion.

The company plans 175 new stores in 2019, with about 335 new stores opening, of which 240 will be H&M stores, with a focus on growth markets.

The interim budget garnered mixed response from textile Surat industry. While the one-time tax rebate for those with a taxable income of up to Rs 5 lakh annually and the businesses with annual turnover less than Rs 5 crore being allowed to file quarterly GST returns has been welcomed by the industry, the absence of any announcements regarding Input Tax Credit has left them waiting for the next GST council meeting. Manoj Agrawal, President of the Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSSTA), expressed his disappointment over the lack of subsidy or schemes for garment package.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has given another bailout package worth Rs29 billion to the textile tycoons by waiving taxes and duties on the import of cotton. The government is offering support to industrial barons, who have got billions of rupees worth of incentive packages. They are now receiving gas and electricity at discounted tariffs. The government also recently approved a Rs25-billion gas subsidy for five zero-rated export-focused industries where textile giants are the major beneficiaries.

Another support package for textile manufacturers has been announced by waiving 50 per cent of the outstanding Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC), which amounts to Rs 40 billion. The textile industry will pay a total of Rs80 billion in GIDC arrears. With the scrapping of taxes and duties on cotton import, the government would lose Rs 14.6 billion in customs duty, Rs 6.9 billion in additional customs duty and Rs7.7 billion in sales tax.

Despite getting such incentive packages, textile exports from Pakistan to the global market have not increased significantly as Bangladesh exporters are eating into the share of their Pakistani counterparts.