Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has been renamed as the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) with effective from June 1.

As per a Textile World report, the new name, Advanced Textiles Association, reflects the evolving textile industry and is designed to position the association to meet the needs of its members and the industry as a whole. IFAI’s Board of Directors, staff and industry partners have been researching the IFAI brand for over a year, with the goal of ensuring the association is well-positioned for the future.

That market research and discussion with members found the need for a new brand. After more than 40 years as IFAI, the updated name not only speaks to those core markets, but also reflects the fact that members are working in markets that may not be readily identified as industrial fabrics.

Global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, VF Corporation has been recognized by 3BL Media in its 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking for the company’s work across people and planet, including employees, climate change, the environment and human rights, among other categories.

In 2019, VF set greenhouse gas reduction targets, approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative, to guide progress on its commitment to the planet. Core to this work are investments in renewable energy, responsibly sourced materials, and many environmental and socially responsible initiatives across its global supply chain. By 2030, VF aims to improve the lives of 2 million workers and their communities through its Worker and Community Development Program The company details its continued progress toward the betterment of people in its 2020 Human Rights Report and 2021 Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Annual Profile.

Underpinning VF’s sustainability and responsibility work is its industry-leading traceability program giving external stakeholders visibility into its complex global supply chain. This work also helps consumers learn more about the products they purchase and helps VF and its brands align business decisions with its purpose. In December 2021, VF achieved its goal of publishing traceability maps for 100 of its brands’ most iconic products.. By 2027, VF is working to trace five of the company’s key materials through 100 per cent of its supply chain.

One key MSME to have made a significant contribution to the India’s GDP growth amidst the pandemic is textile and apparel MSMEs. Textile and apparel MSMEs contribute around 5 per cent to India’s GDP every year and account for almost 7 per cent of total industrial output annually. So far, the sector has created 45 million direct and over 60 million indirect jobs.

Being the world’s 5th largest T&A exporter, India has 4 per cent share of global $840 billion T&A market. From April to October 2021, India exported textile products worth $22.89 billion. Growing at 11 per cent CAGR, textile exports are expected to cross $100 billion in the next five years, says an IBEF report. By increasing textile exports, the country can grow its foreign reserves and create better employment opportunities. In fact, over 75 lakh new jobs can be created by developing textile MSMEs.

Government schemes to boost sector growth

In Union Budget 2022-23, the government had announced several schemes and programs to support and strengthen the industry. One such scheme was the MITRA scheme that involves setting up of seven mega textile parks across India. The scheme is likely to boost employment opportunities across India besides adding to its MSME growth. Another scheme worth $1.4 billion is the production-linked incentives (PLI) that will explore the potential of textile and apparel manufacturing units.

Several labor-friendly schemes were also announced for the sector. These include, the EPF scheme where the government will contribute 12 per cent of the Employees Provident Fund for new workers earning less than Rs 15,000 a month, for initial three years. This reform will ensure the workers get more wages in hand. Programs like the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) to step up investments and subsidies in new digital textile technologies were also introduced.

Entrepreneurial and employment opportunities

Meanwhile the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has teamed up with the Ministry of MSME to boost growth of rural textile MSMEs. Both entities jointly launched a scheme to create self-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities and rural development. In 2020-21, they trained over 10,000 people in 2020-2021 through various KVIC training centres.

Women account for 70 per cent of the workforce in Indian textile and apparel sector with over 27 million women workers. Growing employment opportunities will enable more women to participate and contribute to the sector’s growth. Vast raw material supply, abundant human resources and faster adoption of technologies can help enliven the future of textile industry in India. It can become one of the most lucrative sectors for employment generation by sustaining domestic and export growth.

International Apparel Federation (IAF) in collaboration with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) will organize the 37th IAF World Fashion Convention in November in Dhaka to promote the readymade garment (RMG) industry of Bangladesh locally and globally by showcasing captivating stories of the garment sector through ‘Made in Bangladesh’ branding.

On 14 May, an event to unveil the rogram for the 37th World Fashion Convention and a press conference was held at a hotel in Dhaka. Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, and MatthijsCrietee, Secretary-General, IAF and FazleShameemEhsan, Vice President, BKMEA jointly unveiled the logo of the 37th World Fashion Convention for the first time in public.

Hassan says, the IAF convention will be a 3-daylong event where in the first day, a board meeting containing all the IAF Board of Director will be held. A daylong conference to be participated by local and international speakers will also be a part of this convention.

The seve-day convention from November 12 to November 18 will hold fashion shows, denim expos, and discussions on sustainability. The expo will also brand Bangladesh’s image to international buyers which will aid negotiate fair prices.

The speakers including brands, retailers, suppliers, industry leaders, and academics will highlight the current and future business trends, challenges, and probable solutions, with the goal to make industry-wide efforts to create an improved fashion industry for all.