Six more firms have signed on to the new Bangladesh safety agreement, including Carrefour, Benetton, Marks & Spencer, and Spanish retailer El Corte Ingles. American brand owner PVH has signed on, but other American firms including Gap have been reluctant to do so. The plan would require rigorous independent inspections and money to pay for safety upgrades such as fire escapes, along with … [Read more...]
E.U. Ends Burma Sanctions: Labor Advocates “Deeply Disturbed”
May 15, 2013 by
European Union (EU) foreign ministers permanently lifted trade and economic sanctions against Burma (Myanmar). The sanctions were temporarily lifted in 2012, as Burma began a political reform program. Labor rights groups, however, were not happy about the decision. The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) called it "An abdication of responsibility." In a statement issued by the EU, the sanctions … [Read more...]
AAFA Updates Restricted Substances List
April 4, 2013 by
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has released an updated version of its Restricted Substances List that reflects new EU chemicals regulations, among other international and state changes. The list helps firms manufacturing footwear, apparel, travel goods, home textiles, and other fashion accessories manage the chemicals they use by providing them with information about … [Read more...]
US and Europe Drag Down India’s Garment Exports
April 2, 2013 by
Thanks to a major slowdown in demand from the US and Europe, India's government now expects a decline of over 10.5% in apparel exports by the end of the fiscal year. Garment exports during 2011-2012 fiscal year stood at about $14 billion, but the government in now targeting $12.5 billion for 2012-2013. "The US market is picking up now,” an official from the Apparel Export Promotion Council … [Read more...]
Esprit On Shaky Ground As Turnaround Plan Still Lacks Spirit
March 15, 2013 by
Things are looking grim for Esprit Holdings, which announced a steeper than expected loss for the first half of its fiscal year, losing $60 million through December 31st. Revenue fell 19%. The firm embarked on a turnaround plan in September 2011 and has exited the North American market and shuttered stores in some European countries. It has also reworked sourcing relationships, ending the use … [Read more...]
EU Orders Plummet, India’s Garment Exporters Look to New Markets
March 5, 2013 by
Falling orders from struggling western markets—in the US, Europe, and Canada—have forced Indian garment exports to seek new buyers, according to the latest reports. In an interview with just-style, Dr. A Sakthivel, chairman of India’s Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), said that India has “started to look for new markets in South America, South Africa, Japan, and Israel.” Dr. … [Read more...]
UK Supports Pakistan For GSP Plus Status With E.U.
March 4, 2013 by
Pakistan will continue to receive UK support for its Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP) status awarded from the European Union to Pakistan. The announcement of the UK's ongoing advocacy of GSP Plus standing for Pakistan was made by Alison McEwen, head of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Bilateral Team, at a recent meeting of the Faisalabad (Pakistan) Chamber of Commerce and … [Read more...]
US and EU To Begin Negotiations On World’s Biggest Trade Agreement
February 22, 2013 by
In what seems to be shaping up as the most ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement ever, the United States and European Union plan to start negotiating the deal and to sign it by June. President Barack Obama, in his State of the Union address, encouraged the US to enter negotiations on the new agreement with the 27 nations of the EU. The HYPERLINK … [Read more...]
EU Announces Possible Lifting Of Sanctions On News Of Burma Elections
February 20, 2013 by
In Myanmar today, pro-democracy leaders won almost all of the 45 available parliamentary seats. The ruling party, composed primarily of current or former soldiers, retained control of the Parliament, but the elections were a milestone in Myanmar's rapid and unexpected entry into the global community. Garment and textile investors are eager to move into Myanmar. Its large and cheap labor force … [Read more...]
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