Four apparel manufacturers associations from Turkey, Indonesia and Morocco have now joined the Sustainable Textile of the Asian Region (STAR) Network. STAR is a platform for Asian RMG manufacturers that drives better purchasing practices in the global textile and garment industry.

The four associations are: Indonesian Textile Association (API), Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association (TCMA), Istanbul Ready-Made Garments Exporters’ Association (IHKIB) and Moroccan Association of Textile & Clothing Industries (AMITH). They have joined the initiative on ‘Manufacturers Payment and Delivery Terms’. The platform formed in 2016 with nine member associations from six Asian countries. They include: Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, China National Textile and Apparel Council, Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia, Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, Towel Manufacturers Association of Pakistan and Vietnam Textile and Garment Association.

The initiative, started by the STAR Network, supported by GIZ FABRIC, the International Apparel Federation and the Better Buying Institute, highlighted their plans at the recent OECD Forum on due diligence in the garment and footwear sectors on February 3, the release said. This marks a joint global effort led by manufacturers to establish a common position on payment and delivery conditions in the industry.

The STAR Network, GIZ FABRIC, IAF and Better Buying have come together to create the safe space for manufacturers to jointly draft a set of minimum expectations and outline recommendations and the best practices related to payment and delivery conditions. ‘This includes establishing certain red lines and core principles that they deem essential for fair legitimate business,’ said a press release.