Marcelo Duarte Monteiro, Director ABRAPA who is based out of Singapore delivered a speech @ 3rd World Cotton Summit dated 7th Oct, 2024 in New Delhi reflecting on Brazil Cotton.

Climate resilience is an issue for all of us in agriculture, regardless of where you are, regardless if you're in Brazil, the U. S., or India. That's something we need to be taking into account.

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We rely on exports as only 25% of our production stays in Brazil, so that's a huge asset you have here in India to have such a huge industrial base. As we don't have that robust industrial base in Brazil, we have to rely on exports..exports..exports but still, it does not impinge on our sustained growth trajectory.
I mean Brazil cotton has a high compliance work ethos and are entirely aligned with new standards everywhere they're coming out from i.e. gold standards and private standards, regulations, legislation whether in the U. S./ everywhere. Although, it has to be mentioned here that, increasing cross-border production are one of the challenges that we're facing.
About ABRAPA
The Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (Abrapa) is a nuanced COTTON BRAZIL initiative to promote Brazilian cotton to the international market.

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Leading retail chain, Westside has launched an exclusive home collection titled, ‘Honey, I ‘m Home 2.0 in collaboration with the designer duo Saaksha & Kinni.

Featuring a diverse range of products, the Westside x Saaksha & Kinni offers table line, tote bags, kiminos, cushions, etc. The collection is being sold in select stores across multiple cities.

The curated vibrant handcrafted home range highlights the brands’ shared dedication to craftsmanship and their commitment to offer exceptional shopping experience to customers, says Lyndsay Smith, Head, Westside Home.

Adding a burst of colors to this season’s prints, the collection evokes a sense of adventure, mischief and fun, add designers Saaksha & Kinni.

12 March 2024, Mumbai

Despite the pandemic's blow, swift actions like worker vaccinations and robust health protocols led to a remarkable industry recovery. The RMG sector, a national cornerstone, stands stronger today.

We prioritized supporting SMEs with better services and affordable financing. We also championed policy changes for easier business, including extended tax stability and trade license validity.

Furthermore, we simplified banking activities and secured access to green financing schemes. This focus on sustainability is evident in the significant rise of green factories, solidifying Bangladesh's global leadership.

Market access expansion was crucial. "Apparel diplomacy" secured favorable trade terms and highlighted our commitment to sustainability and worker well-being. Notably, the EU eliminated a barrier to Bangladesh applying for GSP Plus.

We actively explored new markets and diversified products to transition the industry to value-added. The establishment of innovation centers and upskilling programs exemplify this commitment.

• Challenges remain, like recent supply chain disruptions. Yet, we navigated them effectively, showcasing the industry's resilience. Research initiatives are ongoing to pave the way for the next 15 years.

  The RMG sector, through proactive measures and continued collaboration, is well-positioned for a successful future.

CREDITS: BGMEA press release

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India is set to make a strong impact at Yarn Expo Autumn 2024, held from August 27-29 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. As a leading cotton producer, India will showcase its diverse range of cotton products in Hall 8.2, where over 40 Indian exhibitors will present their offerings, including cotton, melange, greige, and fancy yarns.

Organised by the Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council (Texprocil), the India Pavilion is the largest it has been in a decade, standing out among 500 exhibitors from 15 countries.

Indian suppliers continue to participate in this event due to its effectiveness as a business platform and the allure of the expansive Chinese market. MuraliBalakrishna, Joint Director of Texprocil, highlighted the strong demand for India's twisted cotton yarn, citing the Expo’s role in boosting global visibility for Indian exporters.

Notable Indian exhibitors include Indo Industries Pvt. Ltd., a prominent exporter of 100 per cent cotton yarn and fabrics to over 45 countries, and MananTextech Global Pvt. Ltd., a vertically integrated textile company offering a wide array of organic and man-made products. Another key participant is Padwa Worldwide LLP, known for its premium 100% cotton yarn produced with advanced technology.

Yarn Expo Autumn 2024 will feature more than 200 cotton suppliers, reflecting the high demand for cotton, which was one of the most sought-after categories at the previous Spring and Autumn editions.

Key global exhibitors include Heng Feng (Hong Kong) Co Ltd, PT Indo-Rama Synthetics Tbk (Indonesia), and Square Textiles PLC (Bangladesh), all bringing their unique cotton and blended yarn offerings to the event.

Running concurrently with Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition, CHIC, and PH Value, Yarn Expo Autumn will create significant business opportunities for participants, making it Asia’s premier international sourcing hub for yarns and fibers.

In conversation with Salil Chawla, Director of DFU Publications, and Eliana Zappala, the Deputy Trade Commissioner of the Italian Trade Agency in New Delhi, on the sidelines of the ITA event in India today at the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, she alluded that, "we have organized this initiative to strengthen the presence of Italian machinery companies in India, where we already have a market share of 7%.". 

We are here today with 11 Italian companies, producing machinery in the weaving, spinning, and dyeing of tissues, so many different, non-woven, different sectors, and they are here to present their new technologies and meet buyers here in Delhi. .

Then we will have some company visits tomorrow in the Delhi NCR area, and then we will move in Mumbai for the same format, meeting buyers coming from the Mumbai area. So we hope—I mean, it's quite a new experience for us because it's the first time we organized this kind of initiative, and we hope it will be fruitful for Indian and Italian companies too.

Then we will have some company visits tomorrow in the Delhi NCR area, and then we will move in Mumbai for the same format, meeting buyers coming from the Mumbai area. So we hope—I mean, it's quite a new experience for us because it's the first time we organized this kind of initiative—and we hope it will be fruitful for Indian and Italian companies too. 
I think Indian market is growing year after year because I've been here since three years and I'm already very fine seeing some evolutions. We think that Italian companies can offer apart machineries, they offer, as we know, services, post -site services, and we need that last year for example at the Itma fair that is quite important for the sector very important we had thousands of Indians visiting the fair we had created even a fast track mechanism for the reasons with the embassy. Hence, we think India and the market can become much more important in in the next coming years.

Maybe there is direct competition with China? Probably for the moment, of course, China is still ahead because they started 20–30 years before they specialized in this sector, but in the last few years, even before Covid China has become a more expensive market because salaries, of course, as in all countries, have increased with the years. 

So India could become, in the next year, the first market. Probably China will specialize in other sectors like EV, electrical, machinery, and electrical parts. And India can have its own specialization in a different from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Turkey, or any other country. 

Even India is very important because it has a very big internal market. It's not only for re-export, but it's as it is in China. India has a very important internal market, which can be part of the production that is being done in India. But even though there is a strong belief on green technologies or recycling water,. So I see a very strong sensitivity to these green technologies in India. 
About the ITA Event

Italian textile machinery makers visit India (Delhi & Mumbai) on April 9th & 11th to showcase latest technologies. Free workshops for textile & nonwovens industry decision-makers to learn about sustainable and efficient solutions, are held at the Hyatt Regency (Delhi) & Hyatt Centric Juhu (Mumbai).

Decision-makers and experts from the textile and nonwovens industry in India have the chance to inform themselves about the latest textile machinery solutions to make their textile business and products more sustainable and efficient.

Links with Indian textile industry

The textile sector is of great significance in the Indian economy, contributing more than 2 percent of the GDP and allowing the country to be the world's third-largest exporter of textile and apparel items.

India represents the third largest foreign market for the Italian textile machinery industry In 2022, the Asian Country imported Italian textile machinery for a total value of about 200 million euro. Referring to the first 9 months of 2021, the value shows a slight decrease compared to the value for the same period of the previous year.

Latest Fashion News

28 January 2024, Mumbai

Diversification pays off! While the US and EU remain key players, Bangladesh's RMG exports to non-traditional markets have surged over the past 15 years, exceeding our single largest market, the US, for the first time in 2023.

From 7.55% in 2009 to 18.72% in 2023, the share of non-traditional markets has steadily climbed. Visionary entrepreneurs, proactive policy support, and strategic initiatives like Apparel Diplomacy have fueled this impressive growth.

Japan leads the charge: exports soared from $111 million in 2009 to a staggering $1.67 billion in 2023, thanks to relaxed GSP rules. Other stars include Australia (up 38.15%), New Zealand (up 22.78%), and Brazil (up 48%).

The future beckons: China's shift towards higher-end production creates exciting opportunities for Bangladesh. ASEAN, Latin America, Russia, and East Europe hold immense potential.

Challenges remain: high tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and varying quality requirements exist in different markets. But BGMEA is working with the government to tackle these issues, and your input is valued!

Diversification is our priority as we graduate from LDC status. The success of non-traditional markets shows the resilience and adaptability of our RMG industry.

Let's build on this momentum and create a sustainable future for Bangladeshi apparel on the global stage!

CREDITS: BGMEA press release

Latest Textile Events

16 March 2024, Mumbai

Building on a $47 billion Success Story 

The Bangladeshi garment industry has seen phenomenal growth over the past 45 years, reaching a remarkable $47 billion export sector and capturing 7.87% of the global market. However, to achieve our ambitious target of a $100 billion export sector by 2030 and increase our global market share to 12%, we need to embrace a strategic shift.

Shifting Gears: From Cotton to Non-Cotton

The global fashion landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with a growing demand for non-cotton fibers. Consumers are drawn to the functionality, affordability, competitiveness, and sustainability of man-made fibers like polyester and nylon, regenerated fibers like viscose rayon, and even other natural options like linen.

A Global Trend, a Local Opportunity 

While 75% of global apparel consumption and 57.5% of global textile trade are already non-cotton, our exports remain heavily reliant on cotton, with only 30% currently comprising non-cotton products. This shift presents a tremendous opportunity for Bangladesh.

Positive Signs and Future Potential

The encouraging increase in non-cotton exports over the past three years, coupled with rising imports of non-cotton fibers and textiles, indicates a promising future. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, we must address key challenges.

Charting the Course: The "Beyond Cotton" Report

The "Beyond Cotton" report, commissioned by Wazir Advisors Pvt. Ltd. with BGMEA's active involvement, tackles these challenges head-on. It outlines a roadmap for manufacturers, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders to navigate the non-cotton textile and apparel market.

Key Insights and Actionable Steps

The report provides valuable insights from global leaders, industry evolution in competitor nations, and key enablers like investments, ecosystems, policies, and partnerships. It benchmarks our industry against leading non-cotton apparel producers and offers actionable recommendations for all stakeholders to enhance our collective competitiveness.

Cotton's Legacy, Non-Cotton's Future

While cotton remains a core strength, the "Beyond Cotton" report unlocks the exciting potential of diversification. This comprehensive analysis empowers you to plan your investments strategically and contribute to Bangladesh's garment industry reaching new heights.

CREDITS: BGMEA press release

Latest Fashion News

23 January 2024, Mumbai

Despite a challenging global landscape, Bangladesh's RMG exports reached US$47.39 billion in 2023, with 3.67% growth.

This commendable feat shows industry's resilience in the face of global import reductions, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions.

Key Takeaways:

• EU: Growth slowed to 1.49% from 28.49% in 2022. Germany, our largest destination, saw a significant decline. However, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands delivered strong positive growth.
• USA: Our largest market experienced a decline of 8.68% due to a drop in woven garment shipments.
• UK: Third largest market saw encouraging growth of 12.46%.
• Non-traditional markets: Boosted by Japan (26.53% growth), total exports grew by 20.54%, reaching 18.72% of our clothing export share.

Looking Forward:

• The global apparel trade might see a significant decline in 2023!

CREDITS: BGMEA press release

Latest Textile Events

13 March 2024, Mumbai

Despite the pandemic's blow, swift actions like worker vaccinations and robust health protocols led to a remarkable industry recovery. The RMG sector, a national cornerstone, stands stronger today.

The country prioritized supporting SMEs with better services and affordable financing. The industry also championed policy changes for easier business, including extended tax stability and trade license validity.

Furthermore, the nation simplified banking activities and secured access to green financing schemes. This focus on sustainability is evident in the significant rise of green factories, solidifying Bangladesh's global leadership.

Market access expansion was crucial. "Apparel diplomacy" secured favorable trade terms and highlighted our commitment to sustainability and worker well-being. Notably, the EU eliminated a barrier to Bangladesh applying for GSP Plus.

The industry actively explored new markets and diversified products to transition the industry to value-added. The establishment of innovation centers and upskilling programs exemplifies this commitment. 

Challenges remain, like recent supply chain disruptions. Yet, sector navigated them effectively, showcasing the industry's resilience. Research initiatives are ongoing to pave the way for the next 15 years. The RMG sector, through proactive measures and continued collaboration, is well-positioned for a successful future.

CREDITS: BGMEA press release

Latest Fashion News

12 January 2024, Mumbai

500 New Stores, Homeware Push, and Leadership Shakeup

Spanish fast-fashion giant Mango is setting a growth feast, planning to open 500 new stores globally within five years. Targeting key markets like the US, Spain, and India, Mango aims for 40 US stores alone by year-end, savoring a bigger slice of the American market.

But their ambitions aren't confined to clothing racks. Mango Home, the brand's homeware arm, is set to get its dedicated stores in Barcelona and Madrid while expanding its online reach to Turkey. Eva Cárdenas, former Zara Home CEO, spices up the mix as an external advisor to guide Mango Home's growth.

Leadership is also getting a makeover. The board is expanding from four to nine members, with Margarita Salvans taking over as Chief Financial Officer, adding seasoning to the executive table.

This ambitious five-course plan reflects Mango's hunger for further success. Founded in 1984, the Barcelona-born brand now operates in over 115 markets and expects to exceed €3 billion in sales by 2023.

With more details about their 2024–26 strategy set to be revealed soon, one thing's for sure: Mango's future is looking fashionably flavorful.

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