Garment exporters from Bangladesh will be a part of Apparel Sourcing Week, Bangalore, March 15 and 16, 2019. The show provides manufacturers a platform to showcase their products to retailers.

The Standard Group is one of the oldest garment manufacturers in Bangladesh. It sees the exhibition as an opportunity to explore and enter the Indian retail market. The group, which will be displaying the best of its woven casual bottoms, also has a big sweater production facility and its own in-house garment washing, printing, embroidery, apparel design, garment testing and various accessories’ production facilities. Established in 1984, the Standard Group today has 19 factories and generates 418 million dollars annually, and with a prospective eye on Indian retail, it is looking forward to Apparel Sourcing Week for its future expansion plans.

Pakiza Knit Composite will display T-shirts, tanks, polos, pyjamas, jackets, leggings and knitted children’s wear. In less than five years of its establishment, Pakiza works with the likes of NKD, Pep&Co, OVS, NewYorker and Scanwear, among others. Anzir Apparels known for sweaters, will display its new sweater collection.

With different product categories and distinct strengths, all the exhibitors at Apparel Sourcing Week will have something for every retailer and brand that visit the two-day sourcing fair.

Tex-Ray and Applied DNA will set up a center in Taiwan. This will integrate Applied DNA’s authentication platform into new product development of yarns, finishes and fabrics and design streamlined supply chain processes to reduce time-to-market for Applied DNA products and services.

Applied DNA is a leader in PCR-based DNA manufacturing for product authenticity and traceability solutions. Tex-Ray is a pioneer in performance fabric and smart clothing for modern active lifestyles. Tex-Ray, based in Taiwan, is the world’s largest functional fabric production base accounting for approximately 50 per cent of the global output value of performance fabrics. Founded in 1978, Tex-Ray manages global textile supply chains and counts the world’s leading brands as customers and operates in nine countries within Asia, Africa, and North America.

Applied DNA’s CertainT molecular authentication platform for forensic authenticity and traceability delivers brand differentiation and protection of goods whose value chains span large commercial ecosystems and geographies. Unique in its ability to provide identity and traceability embedded in goods themselves, CertainT is a natural fit with the technology innovations that comprise Tex-Ray’s product portfolio.

The alliance with Tex-Ray enables Applied DNA to engage key participants along multiple points in the global textile value chain to more broadly drive adoption of Applied DNA’s authentication technology platform.

"Though, a recent survey by UN initiative Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) indicates improving conditions in the country’s garment factories, human rights violations demand new mechanisms for accountability and transparency in these companies. Hun Sen government and the international race to search the cheapest labor, have created an economy that forces Cambodians, especially women, to rely on these low-paying jobs that still expose them to rights violations.It’s crucial that the government, garment industry corporations and international allies support the Cambodian people in pushing for transparency, accountability and better conditions."

Though, a recent survey by UN initiative Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) indicates improving conditions in the country’s garment factories, human rights violations demand new mechanisms for accountability and transparency in these companies.

Hun Sen government and the international race to search the cheapest labor, have created an economy that forces Cambodians, especially women, to rely on these low-paying jobs that still expose them to rights violations.It’s crucial that the government, garment industry corporations and international allies support the Cambodian people in pushing for transparency, accountability and better conditions.

Compliance improves, violations continue to exist

The BFC report found improved compliance for international laws around overtime wages, discriminations against employees, child labor, routine evacuation drills, and reprisals for union membership.

However, across the nearly 500 factories surveyed, still 234 violations wereregistered between November 2017 and May 2018. According to Cambodian government’s own statistics, over 2,000 workers fainted in 2018 in just 16 factories that were surveyed. In one shoe factory in October, nearly 100 workers fainted during a single shift.

The survey also found only 11 violations of international child labor laws among 600,000 workers, far fewer than the 74 violations found in 2014. But there’s a good chance that children have simply stopped working in licensed factories, working at home or with subcontractors instead. Also,it’s possible that many children are now passing the age checks unnoticed.

Some of the improvements that supposedly represent progress aren’t much cause for celebration. According to new recommendations, pregnant women are now allowed to leave work 15 minutes early and are given a benefit of 400,000 Riel (about $100) for having a single child. These concessions may signal improving conditions, but they also demonstrate severe gender-based discrimination.

Recent data from the World Bank suggests that demand for Cambodia’s exported textiles is increasing at a rate of 16.1 per cent per year, more than double that of the country’s economic growth rate.

Growth is partly due to the European Union’s decision to give Cambodia tariff-free access to their markets under the “Everything but Arms” (EBA) program. TheUnion has begun a six-month review of Cambodia’s trade status that will determine if they can continue trade within the EBA program.

Time to be accountable

Despite rights violations in the garment industry and the country as a whole, Nike, Adidas, H&M, Gap Inc, and other international brands continue to rely on Cambodia for the manufacture of a significant portion of their products.

H&M recently hosted a summit on fair wages in Phnom Penh and stated that wages for factory workers producing their clothing were 24 per cent higher than the minimum wage, for a total of $210.80 per month. However, Clean Clothes Campaign, a network that has been advocating for garment sector reform for 30 years, highlighted H&M’s failure to follow through on its promise to provide minimum wages to its 850,000 garment workers.

Hun Sen and his government appear content to allow the Cambodian economy to rely on this single industry, as they have for over two decades. It is upto international government and textile companies to shake them out of this slumber and advocate for a meaningful change in the country.

Welspun is all set to introduce ‘its new product range -Welspun Quik Dry ’towels. Known for its strong R&D and technology backed products; the new range has been designed based on extensive consumer research and insights. With the aim to cater to the mass market through first-hand experience, the brand will mark this new launch by participating in the Kumbh Mela, the largest human congregation of the World.

The brand will deploy 3,000 Welspun Quik Dry towels each day outside the changing rooms at the mela to give women the first-hand experience of the product. Apart from branding 20 changing rooms at the bathing ghat, Welspun will set up a stall at the commercial area of the Kumbh and also roll out Geo-targeted notifications for a better on-ground interaction. The idea is to touch base with at least 5 lakh consumers through this initiative. After achieving success globally in the home-textile industry, where-in every fifth towel sold in the US is from Welspun, the company is now all set to leverage their presence in the Indian market with the new range of towels priced at Rs. 249.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to India have grown significantly in the last two years. The country has duty-free access to the Indian market. India's exports to Bangladesh are also growing. Bangladesh is a major importer of cotton and active pharmaceutical ingredients from India.

Bangladesh is developing special economic zones for Indian investors. A river cruise between Bangladesh and India will begin from March this year. The value of Bangladesh’s knitwear exports rose 107 per cent in July to December 2018 compared to July to December 2017. The value of woven exports rose 161 per cent.

India has been growing into a big potential market for Bangladesh’s apparel exporters. Last fiscal, Bangladesh’s apparel exports witnessed a 100 per cent gain in India – a trend which is continuing through to this year and expected to rise. India recently introduced a uniform taxing policy across its states – lifting a major trade barrier and proving a boon for business. Also, international brands and stores are opening up in India, which demand more apparel products from Bangladesh.

Also, many renowned fashion brands are exploring Indian market now – opening outlets across states. These fashion brands and outlets are demanding apparel items from Bangladesh.

Jacket Required was held in the UK, January 23 to 24, 2019. The former menswear-focused fair started incorporating women’s wear a few seasons ago, and though its identity is still decidedly masculine in feel, many brands opted to showcase ranges for both genders.

Day one was busy but day two started on a quieter note, though footfall increased in the afternoon. Proceedings kicked off with a panel talk on slow fashion. Footwear purveyor Cat is at the top of the chunky-sole-trend-ladder and displayed a variety of sneakers.

French heritage brand Le Mont St Michel introduces its men’s and women’s ranges to several new buyers from the UK and beyond. Its unisex workwear jacket is an archival carry-over style made in cotton canvas. One new shade is brought out once a year. Bottle green is the shade of 2019.

Raeburn’s range featured all manner of remade and recycled elements. A particular highlight: the puffa jacket filled with waste material from the Raeburn Lab, and enrobed with surplus parachute material.

Sustainable UK-based label Absolutely Bear focused on a collection of ethically made, high-quality wardrobe essentials for men and women. New designs are added occasionally. A bear-adorned tee was screen-printed in London onto organic cotton jersey.

Avery Baker will step down from her role as chief brand officer for Tommy Hilfiger from June 2019. She led the launch of “The Hilfigers” Family communications platform, the modern revival of the brand's Tommy Jeans logo collection, as well as the relaunch of Tommy Hilfiger's global women's business with brand ambassador Gigi Hadid. - Via Tommy Hilfiger She is currently responsible for overseeing brand strategy, creative direction for product design, global marketing and communications, global licensing and creative services, in addition to leading brand-building initiatives.

Baker joined the company in 1998. Prior to her current position, she served in a variety of leadership roles at the company, including chief marketing officer. During her tenure, Baker led key transformational programs such as the launch of “The Hilfigers” Family communications platform, the modern revival of the brand's Tommy Jeans logo collection, and, most recently, the relaunch of Tommy Hilfiger's global women's business with brand ambassador Gigi Hadid. In addition, she also managed TommyNow, the brand’s “see now, buy now” fashion show, an initiative that sought to boost the brand's image as a leader in fashion's future.

A national conclave on technical textiles will be held in Mumbai on January 29, 2019. The release of HSN codes for technical textiles will be one of the major highlights of the conclave. Several panel discussions will be held on subjects like administrative consolidation of technical textiles, manufacturing possibilities and import substitution, benefits of standardization and global best practices, technical textile codes for New India, investment opportunity in technical textiles and research and development in technical textiles.

Technical textiles are textile material and products manufactured primarily for technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic and decorative characteristics. They find application not only in clothing but also in areas like agriculture, medical, infrastructure, automotive, aerospace, sports, defence and packaging.

The technical textile sector is the sunshine sector for the textile industry and is one of the fastest growing segments of the Indian economy. This sector is expected to see a double digit growth in coming years. There are around 2100 units manufacturing technical textiles in the country and most of them are concentrated in Gujarat followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Technical textiles constitute 12 to 15 per cent of the total textile value chain in India, whereas in some European countries technical textiles constitute 50 per cent of the total textile value chain.

Small and medium units find it difficult to enter the textile sector in Gujarat. The main problem is: increasing cost of machinery in the textile value chain. Manufacturing of yarn, weaving, processing and garment manufacturing require sizeable investments.

In case of power looms, entrepreneurs earlier were able to start a business by spending a few lakhs on three to four traditional machines. However, today a single power loom costs up to Rs 50 lakh. Hence, it would be out of reach for micro and small businesses. Even medium size businesses are feeling the pinch. Setting up a textile unit earlier used to cost around Rs 12 crores but now with cutting edge technology, the cost would easily cross Rs 100 crores.

In Gujarat, garment manufacturing is limited to a handful of big players. But unless micro and small units become part of the textile value chain, the textile industry cannot generate adequate jobs. Unlike Tirupur, where small and medium units thrive in ready-made cloths, Gujarat lacks a proper ecosystem. Expensive textile machinery and equipment has made the entry of new entrants in the segment more difficult. A sizeable capital subsidy on machinery would be required in order to make a new unit affordable.

In the past six months, Pakistan’s knitwear exports grew 10.5 per cent. This was possible following the receipt of outstanding tax refunds and uninterrupted gas and electricity supply. Exporters want the option of being provided refund bonds (promissory notes) with an annual profit of 10 per cent and maturity of three years, which would ensure liquidity for their businesses. Now the knitwear garment sector hopes to be able to raise its exports by 20 per cent in the next six months.

Import duties on hundreds of raw materials used for manufacturing export products have been withdrawn. Pakistan’s knitwear industry plays a vital role in value addition of the textile sector. There is a great potential of further development in this industry as there is substantial value addition in the form of knitwear apparel, sportswear, socks, gloves etc. The knitwear sector is the largest foreign exchange earner as well the largest contributor in textile exports and total exports of the country. Pakistan is diversifying knitwear products to bring more innovations and incentives to boost its exports. This sector has export potential despite remaining under pressure from its competitors mainly Bangladesh, India and the Far Eastern nations. The knitwear sector in Pakistan enjoys top ranking in the textile group and other sectors.