25 November 2021, Mumbai:

Togo and Benin, both in West Africa, provide ample potential for garment producers, and their governments are similarly enthusiastic about attracting international businesses.

These nations have several benefits, ranging from the availability of cotton to well-planned industrial parks with full facilities, tariff advantages with the EU and US, closeness to these countries, and so on.

Rajaguru Raja, CEO-Textiles, Arise IIP, recently spoke at a webinar on "Investment Opportunities in West Africa through TOGO Government Supported Arise Textile Park," highlighting how these nations might be the finest destination for garment manufacture.

ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, located in Dubai, creates, funds, and manages industrial ecosystems across Africa. Sharing the advantages of both nations and how ARISE can assist investors

In comparison to other prominent garment manufacturing nations, Togo and Benin's goods receive 9 to 20% duty exemption in the US market and 4 to 12% in Europe, according to Rajaguru, who has spent four decades in the global textile sector.

"Labor costs here are roughly US $ 105 per month, which is much less than in Bangladesh and India." "It takes roughly 20 days to get commodities from Togo to the EU and 25 days to get things from Togo to the US, whereas it takes over 40 days to get goods from Bangladesh and India," he added.

He went on to say that industrial parks in these nations are built to be environmentally friendly, with a comprehensive ecosystem that includes CETP, planned centers, ICD inside parks, world-class R&D centers, and everything else needed for a successful textile or clothing hub.

The whole cotton produced in Africa is CMAI certified, and this high-quality cotton is ideal for knitted garments, jeans, and towels, among other things.

The park's vocational training center will provide a competent workforce for industries, not to mention the government's lucrative tax exemption programs. Both nations enjoy political stability and a favorable working environment.

Benin Industrial Park has a total area of 1,640 hectares, of which 60 hectares will be required for five integrated textile factories and 24 hectares would be required for 20 independent garment units. Out of the total 400 hectares in Togo, 120 hectares of land plots would be deployed in the first phase of PIA textile park 1 and PIA textile park 2.

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24 November 2021, Mumbai:

The leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on 20 November, shared the recent successes of ‘vision for Apparel Diplomacy’ at a meet the press program to showcase the recent successes at a hotel in Dhaka.

As part of the vision for Apparel Diplomacy – in the first phase of the initiative – BGMEA visited the USA and Canada, one of the major export markets. And in the second phase, BGMEA has visited three European countries, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Scotland to brand Bangladesh RMG in the global arena.

Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA said in the meet the press program, “The garment sector is our pride. The lives and livelihoods of millions of people today depend on this sector. The importance of the garment sector in implementing the vision of economic development that Bangladesh has created in the future is immense.”

Hassan added, “However, if the stories of capacity building, sustainable development and progress of this sector are not presented properly, it will be difficult to utilize the possibilities. We are always striving to show the strength, capability and right image of the industry in the local and international arena.”

In the Europe tour, BGMEA organized a roundtable meeting with British brands and retailers. Where the organization exchanged views with British brands and retailers purchasing garments from Bangladesh.

“We held this meeting at the East India Club in London. It was attended by Baroness Young of Hornsey- Lola Young, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion,” BGMEA President said.

“In this roundtable meeting, we also requested British brands and retailers to strengthen their partnership with their suppliers to enhance the capacity of Bangladeshi suppliers in the production of high-end products,” he added.

MoU signing with Primark

Primark has adopted a special program called ‘Primark Cares’ to halve carbon emissions in its supply chain and bring about positive changes in the lives of workers. A meeting of leading officials of Primark and Associated British Foods (ABF) was held in London to discuss BGMEA’s support and co-operation in this new program.

International Apparel Federation (IAF) board meeting Participation

Highlighted part of the visit was attending the 36th World Fashion Convention organized by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) in Antwerp, Belgium, as well as attending the IAF Board Meeting.

Hassan said, “I have highlighted the current situation of the garment industry in Bangladesh and the unique achievements of the industry, especially in the field of work safety, environmental development and welfare of the workers.”

He also shared good news with the journos that the 37th IAF World Fashion Convention is set to take place in Dhaka. The convention will be a joint venture of IAF and BGMEA and will be held in November 2022.

“On this occasion, we have planned a week-long event called “Made in Bangladesh Week”.

We hope that the third Dhaka Apparel Summit, Fashion Festival, Exposition and some award programs will be held during the week-long event to showcase the capabilities and achievements of the garment sector to the world and discuss the prospects and roadmap of the future.”

“Besides, BGMEA leaders urge British MP’s to give Bangladesh special privileges to retain market advantage in post-LDC. In particular, we have been demanding 12 years of transition time and simple rules of origin.”

“We also met with Dirk Vantyghem, Director General of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) in Antwerp, Belgium.”

He also shared that the BGMEA leaders met with HSBC’s Group Chief Executive Noel Quinn in Glasgow, meeting with the CEO of Laudes Foundation, meeting with the Good Fashion Fund (GFF) on green financing in the garment industry, etc.

Among others BGMEA office bearers and directors who were present in the press conference are Syed Nazrul Islam, First Vice President; S.M. Mannan (Kochi), Senior Vice President, BGMEA; Md. Shahidullah Azim, Vice President, BGMEA; Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President (Finance), BGMEA; Miran Ali, Vice President, BGMEA; Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, Vice President, BGMEA; Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, Director, BGMEA; Asif Ashraf, Director, BGMEA; Md. Mohiuddin Rubel, Director, BGMEA; Tanvir Ahmed, Director, BGMEA; Md. Khosru Chowdhury, Director, BGMEA; Faisal Samad, Director, BGMEA; Abdullah Hil Rakib, Director, BGMEA; Haroon Ar Rashid, Director, BGMEA; Rajiv Chowdhury, Director, BGMEA; Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Director, BGMEA; Md. Imranur Rahman, Director, BGMEA; Mijanur Rahman, Director, BGMEA; A.M. Shafiul Karim (Khokon), Director, BGMEA; Md. Hassan (Jacky), Director, BGMEA; M. Ahsanul Hoq, Director, BGMEA; Mohammed Meraj-E-Mostafa (Kaisar), Director, BGMEA.

Textile Today

(The news article has not been edited by DFU Publications staff)

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25 November 2021, Mumbai:

The PERFORMANCE DAYS team deeply regrets having to cancel at short notice the physical edition of PERFORMANCE DAYS which was scheduled to take place on December 1-2, 2021 at the Messe München exhibition center.

Right up until today, the event organizers of PERFORMANCE DAYS were in the final stages of preparations for the fair. The goal of being able to realize a fully booked fair with a portfolio like in pre-pandemic times seemed to be within reach.

The political regulations agreed in Bavaria from November 19, 2021, and the heavily restricted constraints associated with an incidence of 1000 have far-reaching consequences for PERFORMANCE DAYS.

As a result of the current sharp rise in the number of infections in Munich, the planned winter edition must now be canceled as a precaution. The focus now is now completely on the digital fair on December 1 and 2, 2021.

All event organizers are now forced to continuously monitor and realistically evaluate the situation as it unfolds. The new measures are scheduled to come into effect in Munich from the middle of this week, which would lead to very short-term changes.

The organizers of PERFORMANCE DAYS, therefore, see themselves in the responsibility to enable a minimum of planning security as well as responsible handling of the given situation with this decision.

“Exceptional situations require exceptional decisions – making these all the more difficult.

After experiencing a very successful and surprisingly well-attended fair with the Functional Fabric Fair by PERFORMANCE DAYS in Portland, Oregon last week, we have tried everything possible up to the last moment and firmly believed that we would finally set a further positive milestone with the physical edition of PERFORMANCE DAYS in Munich.

We fulfilled all the requirements, updated our hygiene concept several times to comply with the dynamically changing measures and took all the necessary precautions for a safe event. Unfortunately, current developments do not allow us to host the trade fair event next week, since the undisputed top priority is the protection and health of our visitors.

Now our focus turns to the full implementation of the Digital Fair on December 1 and 2, 2021”, explains Marco Weichert, CEO of PERFORMANCE DAYS.

Complete Focus on digital platform

The PERFORMANCE DAYS team is now investing all its efforts into implementing the Digital Fair on December 1 and 2, 2021.

As part of THE LOOP, those interested have the opportunity as of now to view online the fabric innovations and news for the Winter Season 2023/24, this year’s Focus Topic “Sustainable Nylon” and the latest color trends.

In the Marketplace, visitors will be able to view the numerous exhibitor products, including the PERFORMANCE FORUM’s curated sustainable fabric highlights. In order to present the fabrics to visitors as realistically as possible in terms of feel, design, and structure in digital form, the PERFORMANCE FORUM has been equipped with new 3D technology, including innovative tools such as 3D images, video animations, and downloadable U3M files.

Throughout the Digital Fair, exhibitors and fair visitors can look forward to extensive networking opportunities.

For example, as part of the extensive digital supporting program on December 1, with various expert talks, discussion rounds, and speakers via Livestream, moderated by Charles Ross live from the studio.

On December 2, the “sustain & innovate” conference on this year’s Focus Topic “The Sustainable Future of Nylon” will kick off with discussions and panels, moderated by Astrid Schlüchter, Editor-in-Chief of SAZsport and SPORTS FASHION by saz.

Performance Days

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20 November 2021, Mumbai:

Flipkart-owned online fashion retailer Myntra on Tuesday unveiled a dedicated luxury section on its platform that will see the retailer sell 65 premium brands, including Polo Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, Hackett London, Hugo, and Fred Perry.

Myntra has partnered with Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Ltd (ABFRL) The Collective, a multi-brand luxury lifestyle retailer to offer a wider range of high-end clothing, accessories, bags and shoes on its site.

The Collective brings with it a curated collection of brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, Hackett London, Hugo, and Fred Perry to Myntra Luxe. Mint

(The news article has not been edited by DFU Publications staff)

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2. Consumers will determine growth of sustainable fashion e-comm in India

3. Myntra to offer 1 mn styles from about 7,000 brands at the 'Big Fashion Festival'

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25 November 2021, Mumbai:

According to OTEXA data, the United States imports of children's clothing climbed by 30.18 percent to US $ 1.80 billion from January to September of this year. During the indicated time, all major Asian clothing exporting destinations had a Y-o-Y increase in their respective exports of kidswear, with China leading the list.

During the study period, China accounted for the US $ 463.25 million in kidswear imports from the United States, an increase of 37.85% on a year-over-year basis.

Vietnam continued to outperform India in terms of kidswear exports to the United States, earning US $ 274.77 million in export earnings, up 32.68 percent year on year, while India earned the US $ 259.53 million from its respective kidswear exports to the United States, up 45.40 percent year on year.

Bangladesh had a strong showing in the United States, shipping $ 190.92 million in kidswear (up 24.62%) from January to September of this year.

The favorable sourcing of children's clothing by the United States is expected to continue through the end of the year since the Christmas shopping season in the United States begins in October.

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20 November 2021, Mumbai:

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has stressed the need for organising more promotional campaigns and roadshows to introduce 'Made in Bangladesh' across the globe and brand the country.

"Bangladesh has immense potential to explore new and emerging markets. The BGMEA organised several scoping and trade missions in potential markets and is still working relentlessly in the area of apparel diplomacy," BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Wednesday.

He was addressing the webinar "Opportunities and Potential of Bangladesh RMG industry in pursuit of Sustained Growth."

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) organised the event on the occasion of "Sourcing Bangladesh-2021, Virtual Edition."

Faruque emphasised giving more attention to non-cotton products as their demand is on the rise in the global market. "We are now focusing on non-cotton-based textile and apparel to realign our product mix with global sourcing trends and this can be a potential area of investment in the upcoming days."

"Virtual marketplace could also be a big source of growth while we need to move from original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to original design manufacturer (ODM)," he added.

"For entering that new arena of business, it is important to work on several areas such as reforming foreign exchange policies, export and import policies, and tax policy; extending fiscal incentives to those who will develop their own collection and be involved in innovation."

"Also, we need more investments in the backward linkage textile sector, particularly in the woven. The textile sector is a largely unexplored area and has a high potential for investment," the BGMEA president said.

AHM Ahsan, the vice-chairman of the EPB, chaired the webinar while Fazlul Haq, president of the Bangladesh Employers Federation, MS Siddiqui, co-convenor of Bangladesh Columnist Forum, and Md Khorshed Alam, chairman of the standing committee on the development of local spinning and weaving mills of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, attended the discussion as panelists.

MSN Asia

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24 November 2021, Mumbai:

After experiencing a decrease in cotton trousers imports in 2020 over 2019, the United States has seen an increase in 2021.

According to OTEXA statistics, cotton trousers imports by the United States increased by 30.71 percent to the US $ 8.75 billion from January to September of this year. Bangladesh remains the biggest exporter of cotton pants to the United States, with exports totaling the US $ 1.83 billion in the indicated period, up 23.60 percent year on year.

Vietnam, on the other hand, exported the US $ 1.52 billion worth of cotton pants to the United States, an increase of 21% year on year.

China's participation has dropped from US$ 2.36 billion in 2019 to barely US$ 1.23 billion in the first nine months of 2021. Mexico (the US $ 670.21 million), Pakistan (the US $ 619.43 million), Cambodia (the US $ 444.72 million), and Indonesia (the US $ 438.35 million) all did well, with 52.85%, 79.54 percent, 24.74 percent, and 24.25 percent growth, respectively.

India is ranked 8th on the list and has been coming up quickly, with a 52 percent annual increase in cotton trouser shipments to the United States from January to September of this year, totaling US $ 253.69 million. China's participation has dropped from US$ 2.36 billion in 2019 to barely US$ 1.23 billion in the first nine months of 2021.

Mexico (the US $ 670.21 million), Pakistan (the US $ 619.43 million), Cambodia (the US $ 444.72 million), and Indonesia (the US $ 438.35 million) all did well, with 52.85%, 79.54 percent, 24.74 percent, and 24.25 percent growth, respectively.

India is ranked 8th on the list and has been coming up quickly, with a 52 percent annual increase in cotton trouser shipments to the United States from January to September of this year, totaling the US $ 253.69 million.

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TOP 5:

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2. Consumers will determine growth of sustainable fashion e-comm in India

3. Myntra to offer 1 mn styles from about 7,000 brands at the 'Big Fashion Festival'

4. Maharashtra government honors VIP as 'Best Innerwear Brand' for 2021-22

5. Nike strengthens retail presences with new store at DLF Mall of India, Noida

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22 November 2021, Mumbai:

The just-concluded 36th World Fashion Convention hosted by IAF: International Apparel Federation has highlighted many vital aspects of the fashion industry.

The convention brought together many important players and held meetings to find a way forward in the overall supply chain.

From 7 to 9 November 2021, the world of apparel and textiles met in Antwerp, Belgium. From Bangladesh, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders including Faruque Hassan, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Miran Ali, and Shams Mahmud, Managing Director of Shasha Denims Ltd. attended the convention.

Faruque Hassan said, “Bangladesh’s RMG industry is striding impressively, especially in the areas of workplace safety, environmental sustainability, and workers’ wellbeing.”

BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, the keynote speaker, said, “RMG sector has practiced responsible purchasing procedure.”

The BGMEA President also took part in the board meeting and the general assembly of IAF members.

BGMEA has been a member of the IAF since 2013.

The BGMEA President invited the participants to the next IAF Fashion Convention, which will be held in Dhaka in November 2022.

In the 36th World Fashion Convention, reinforcing collaboration and partnerships to truly work in collaboration across the vertical supply chain has been discussed greatly. Side by side, speakers stressed the risk and upside need to be shared between brands, manufacturers, and suppliers of raw materials – to tackle the challenges that the fashion industry is facing together.

Ensuring traceability is in the whole supply chain to ensure sustainability and ethical production was top of the agenda in the IAF convention.

McKinseys’ Chief Product Officer, Saskia Hedrich survey enlightened that 50% of CPOs started a major transformation since the pandemic has begun.

Hedrich said in her LinkedIn post, “Supply chain disruptions and demand volatility are here to stay and put pressure on margins. Brands and retailers are forced to fundamentally shift toward an apparel sourcing model that is consumer-centric, resilient, and sustainable. We’ve surveyed international chief purchasing officers to assess the industry’s progress on the transition.”

There is a move towards smaller collections: 53% plan to reduce the number of options by 2025 and 29% plan to increase full-price sales by 10%, she added.

Matteo Magnani, Senior Analyst Make Fashion Circular, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shared a flabbergasting presentation brief of some crucial stats that the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has collated.

Less than 1% of the material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing and a whopping 73% are eventually landfilled or incinerated.

Textile Today

(The news article has not been edited by DFU Publications staff)

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TOP 5:

1. Flipkart, an Indian e-commerce company, collaborates with PUMA on the ‘1DER' line, which features batsman KL Rahul

2. Consumers will determine growth of sustainable fashion e-comm in India

3. Myntra to offer 1 mn styles from about 7,000 brands at the 'Big Fashion Festival'

4. Maharashtra government honors VIP as 'Best Innerwear Brand' for 2021-22

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20 November 2021, Mumbai:

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan highlighted the prospect of the UK's investment in different potential sectors including high value-added and non-cotton textiles and high-end apparel items at “Bangladesh Investment Summit 2021: Building Sustainable Growth Partnerships” in London.

Hassan attended the summit as a special guest where he invited British businessmen to make investments in Bangladesh.

Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Summit at Churchill Hall, Queen Elizabeth Center in London on November 4. Ministers, senior government officials and other dignitaries attended the inaugural ceremony.

The BGMEA President welcomed the UK investors including non-resident Bangladeshi living in the country to come up with investment in Bangladesh, a promising destination for investors offering an attractive and investment-friendly environment. Textile Today

(The news article has not been edited by DFU Publications staff)

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TOP 5:

1. Flipkart, an Indian e-commerce company, collaborates with PUMA on the ‘1DER' line, which features batsman KL Rahul

2. Consumers will determine growth of sustainable fashion e-comm in India

3. Myntra to offer 1 mn styles from about 7,000 brands at the 'Big Fashion Festival'

4. Maharashtra government honors VIP as 'Best Innerwear Brand' for 2021-22

5. Nike strengthens retail presences with new store at DLF Mall of India,Noida

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