Mame Annan-Browne has been appointed new Global Head-Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) by Kontoor Brands, a global lifestyle apparel company with two of the world’s most iconic brands Wrangler® and Lee®, in its portfolio

In her new role, Annan-Brown will manage Kontoor’s global ESG efforts. She will also spearhead the company’s engagement with environmental, health and safety, corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, sustainability, diversity and inclusion standards, etc. She will be the company’s representative in organizations promoting ESG issues across the business landscape. Annan-Brown will continue to oversee the company’s Global Communications and Public Affairs. She will be responsible for all aspects of global corporate communications, government relations, global philanthropy, and charitable giving.

Annan-Brown will also lead Kontoor’s ESG Council to establish a foundational ESG framework and roadmap that establishes Kontoor’s priorities and vision relating to ESG matters, and prioritizes and recommends policies, practices, and disclosures that conform to the strategy.

The 12th edition of the Bangladesh Denim Expo was held from May 10-11, 2022 at the International Convention Centre in Bashundara, Dhaka. As per a Textile Today report, held twice a year, the international denim trade show allowed select vendors to interact, build contacts and meet other stakeholders in the industry.

Archroma – a global leader in dyes and specialty chemicals with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, showcased new aniline-free indigo dye, Denisol® Pure Indigo 30 liq, it reduces risks when producing traditional, iconic indigo blue that consumers associate with denim and jeans.

Another exhibitor was, Austtex one of the most innovative-driven companies in the chemical textile industry. It is a renowned expert in chemicals for pretreatment, dyeing and dyestuffs, printing and coating, finishing, garment dyeing, and denim washing.As a part of the global Bozzetto Group, the company now supplies to the entire textile value chain by partnering with renowned textile companies.

Renowned jeans manufacturer, Bossa showcased a wide range of high-quality denim fabrics, with a high production capacity in dyeing and finishing. Participants witnessed their Quality Management System that enables to effectively handle a competitive market resulting from globalization, changing consumption patterns, and consumer behavior.

In the first quarter of 2022, the US’ imported 24.72 per cent more apparels from Bangladesh and Indonesia, as against the same period last year, says latest Commerce Department’s Office of Textiles and Apparels (OTEXA) figures. As per a Sourcing Journal report, the country imported 50.12 per cent more apparels from Bangladesh totaling 0909 million SME during the quarter. It’s shipments from Indonesia surged by 46.83 per cent to 376 million SME.

Imports grow despite tariffs, production hurdles

Compared to a year ago, US’ apparel imports from China increased 25.64 per cent to 2.85 billion SME from January to March as against last year. Growth was achieved despite ongoing tariffs and diversification of sourcing from China. The US government is striving hard to introduce a feasible tariff exclusion process for exporters, says Steve Lamar, President and CEO, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). Overcoming production hurdles, Vietnam shipped 18.11 per cent more goods in the first quarter Y-o-Y to reach 1.36 billion SME.

Shipments from India also rose by 34.24 per cent during the quarter to 415 million SME, while imports from Cambodia grew 14.98 per cent to 371 million SME. The US also imported 22.59 per cent more garments from Pakistan totaling 257 million SME during the quarter.

Nearshoring fuels interest from Central America, Western Hemisphere

Exports from other suppliers also benefited from the nearshoring during the quarter. Mexico’s exports went up 11.87 per cent to 214 million SME, while from Western Hemisphere neighbors Honduras and El Salvador saw a jump of 9.21 per cent to 212 million SME and 7.41 per cent to 164 million SME, respectively.

Facilitated by the Central American Free Trade Agreement, interest in the Central American apparel industry also grew. However, the region lacks sufficient investment opportunities. To push up investments AAFA has launched a coalition to engage stakeholders and policymakers to find ways to incentivize investments, says Lamar.

New investments to boost economic development in the region

Hosted by Jose Fernandez, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment, a recent meeting between the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) and regional textile industry associations attracted US and Central American textile and apparel executives and investors who discussed trade policies supporting economic development in the region. To boost economic opportunities in the region, the textile industry has invested over $20 billion in the US, informed Kim Glass, President and CEO, NCTO. It has also invested billions of dollars in the western hemisphere over the last decade.

ThinkHUGE (Honduras, USA, Guatemala, El Salvador) also announced $340 million investments in textiles and $680 million investments in renewable energy production in the region. The initiative aims to attract investments worth $10 billion in these four countries over five years. It also aims to to create 500,000 direct and 1.5 million indirect jobs. It has already attracted $1.9 billion in new investments that would help create an estimated 160,000 jobs.

On April 28, this year, parties-led trade union instigated workers at the main Katunayaka Free Trade Zone to stop work in protest against the inhuman treatment being meted out to them. Free trade zones in Sri Lanka have been facing numerous faces including frequent power cuts due to lack of fuel to power generators. These disruptions are impacting manufacturers as buyers are shifting orders to Bangladesh. Dhammika Fernando, Secretary, FTZ Manufacturers Association says, buyers aware of the situation in Sri Lanka are pulling out despite manufacturers assuring them of timely deliveries.

Airports closure may intensify crisis

The crisis may intensify if the government closes airports and ports in the country, warns Fernando. This will hinder Sri Lanka’s garment trade with SMEs being the worst sufferers, he adds. Currently, free trade zones in Sri Lanka are not facing any power crisis. However, interruptions continue at factories outside the zone. As a result, apparel manufacturers are urging Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to refrain from imposing power cuts in these factories.

Trade unions ensure unhindered work at factories

As per a Sunday Times report, the ongoing agitation at garment factories has caused concern amongst other trade unions who have decided to resume the protest only after working hours in order to allow unhindered production at factories, says Anton Marcus, General Secretary, FTZ and General Services Union. The situation at factories intensified after a few managers, who had earlier allowed workers to participate in the protest, later asked them to complete their tasks on a different day. This was opposed by workers who refused to complete the task, adds Marcus.

The campaign on May 6 was joined by workers at Katunayake, Ekala and Biyagama zones. While some factories continued with normal operations on this day, others declared a holiday. They also prevented workers from joining the agitation by threatening to cut their pay. On the day of the agitation, protestors blocked roads leading to the FTZs of Katunayake and Biyagama zones, preventing workers from entering the factory premises. They also forced buses bringing workers to the FTZ to turn around. This forced many workers return to their homes.