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.

Jonathan Ram has been appointed new chief executive officer (CEO) by UK-based footwear retail brand Clarks. He will join the company in April 2022. Having an extensive experience in footwear and apparel industry, Ram was most recently group president, global activewear at HanesBrands, Inc. Here, he led the growth of global activewear business across multiple brands and businesses.

Ram was with New Balance for 16 years where he ran the LATAM, EMEA and North American businesses. He was instrumental in leading transformation, growth, and profitability in the EMEA business and then led the North America multi-channel business. In the last one year, Clarks has implemented focused turnaround strategy designed to protect the future of business and build a foundation for sustainable growth in the years ahead. This has resulted in an improved financial position for the brand, says Colin Li, Chairman.

The US is fast becoming world’s largest luxury fashion market with brands opening new stores and staging new events across the country. Recently, Zara’s parent company Inditex declared the US its largest fashion market and Kering credited North America for Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen’s strong sales last month. McQueen also launched its Autumn/Winter 2022 collection in New York, highlights a Business of Fashion report.

Despite it being the world’s largest consumer market, many fashion brands did not focus on the US during the last decade. Instead, China made up about one-third of their global sales, says Bain & Company report.

COVID shifts consumers away from China

However, China’s outlook changed in the last two years as the COVID-19 outbreak dampened prospects. The country’s 2022 GDP growth dipped to its lowest 5.5 per cent in over three decades and is expected to dip further with an unstable property market and strict COVID lockdown measures curbing consumption. China recently announced new lockdowns to curb COVID spread. It closed down Shanghai’s shopping districts though a few stores continue to remain operational.

Government aids boosts US’ prospects

This is attracting fashion brands back to America. Though the country faces rising inflation levels that have reached a four-decade high, its economy continues to grow at a faster than expected rate owing to the stimulus checks sent by the government.

Luxury brands like McQueen, Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton have been staging high-profile events in the US since the last six months. What’s more, Louis Vuitton plans to host its cruise show in California this May. Also on the anvil are new stores outside the traditional American fashion hubs of New York and Los Angeles.

There has been an influx of wealthy tech workers in Miami and Austin over the last few months. Cities like Charleston, Nashville and Atlanta have also reported a surge in their median income levels. Many brands like Gucci, Hermes and Chanel have opened stores in these cities. In February, Francois-Henri Pinault announced plans to expand operations in these two cities. Prada also announced expansion plans for Austin city. These cities are likely to emerge as future shopping destinations for luxury consumers in the US.

High oil prices and limited spending may curb growth

However, the boom in the US luxury market may prove to be short-lived as luxury spending by lower-income Americans may not continue, as per the Bank of America. High gasoline prices may also prevent consumers from spending more in malls with February retail sales expected to remain low at 0.3 per cent. For the first time since 2018, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates to counter rising inflation rates and slowing economic growth.

Second, China will continue to be a dominant force with luxury sales rising 36 per cent to 471 billion yuan ($73.59 billion) last year, says Bain and Company, though growth is expected to slow in 2022. The country will continue to witness a rise in travel retail sales as there would be massive growth in duty-free shops in Hainan.

The upheaval of the last two years has warned fashion brands against depending on a single sourcing destination. Many brands are diversifying their supply chains by focusing on multiple markets. This prevents their operations from being impacted from disruptions in one country. In future, more American cities will step up investments in fashion, believe brands.

Having reached its highest levels in 2021, the United States’ imports of cotton products are expected to support record cotton consumption in marketing year 2021-22. As per International Trade Administration’s Office of Textile and Apparels (OTEXA) report, cotton imports in 2022 are likely to surge as production is likely to decline by 300,000 bales.

In 2021, US’ cotton products import touched $49 billion. Imports got a boost mainly because of growing demand for cotton apparel and home textiles in the country. Most US consumers spent their discretionary incomes on products rather than services. They opted for comfortable and soft knitted cotton garments besides investing in home purchases and home textiles. Moreover, pent-up demand from the previous year and an increase in discretionary income also boosted imports after 2020

China remains largest cotton product supplier

For 19th consecutive year, China remained the largest cotton product supplier to the US in 2021. Even Section 301 tariffs implemented in 2019 amid the US-China trade dispute and the US Customs and Border Protection’s Withhold Release Order on all cotton-derived products from the Xinjiang autonomous region, failed to dive US’ imports of cotton products. On the other hand, cotton imports from countries like China India Pakistan Vietnam Bangladesh made significant strides since that period. Imports from India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh also reached record levels in 2021 especially in December.

Despite rising inflation global cotton consumption has been on the rise. The 2021-22 Outlook global cotton production was lower by 300,000 bales due to smaller crop in India. Use is up slightly, just over 100,000 bales, and ending stocks are down significantly for the third consecutive month with a decrease of over 1.7 million bales.

US’ cotton products imports decline

With global uncertainties lowering prices on the Intercontinental Exchanges, global macroeconomic concerns outweighed strong US export sales and shipments in 2021. In addition, lower prices also led to negative carry of roughly 2.5 cents in the middle of February.

Contrary to prices in the US and India, spot prices in China and Brazil declined slightly during the month as China returned from Lunar New Year and a higher Brazilian real. The A-Index reachroughly 30 cents lower than domestic prices in China compared with 20 cents last year, owing partly to a stronger yuan relative to the US dollar.