Textiles & apparel are a big gain for India under economic cooperation and trade agreement Indian textile and apparel exporters are busy tying up supply partnerships with Australian buyers even as the India-Australia interim free trade agreement awaits ratification by Canberra. A delegation of apparel and textile exporters will leave for Australia around October-end to engage with and build the supply network with major clothing brands, in anticipation of the FTA. Textiles and apparel are a big gain for India under the economic cooperation and trade agreement (ECTA) as the sector will enjoy zero-duty access to the Australian market when the deal comes into force. The department of commerce told Mint that government efforts to push textile and apparel exports have already picked up. “India’s merchandise exports to Australia in 2021-22 has shown growth of 168% and similar growth was seen in the first quarter of FY23. The department of commerce in collaboration with the Indian High Commission in Australia and Export Promotion Councils has initiated action for enhancement of exports for textile and apparel sector. The department is tracking exports performance on a monthly basis," it said. Preliminary talks for a full agreement—a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA)—have also started by both sides. “In the meantime, we are awaiting Australia’s ratification of India-Australia ECTA," it added. The interim free trade deal, signed on 2 April, provides India duty-free access on 95% tariff lines, including textiles, leather, furniture, jewellery, machinery and medical devices. India has offered immediate tariff elimination on 40% of tariff lines comprising 85% of Australian exports in value terms. Another 30.3% of its tariff lines will see elimination or reduction of tariffs in a phased manner. Narendra Goenka, chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council, said the Indian apparel industry started reaching out to various brands in Australia to forge a supply network. Indian exporters will also participate in the apparel and textile fair in Australia in November. Separately, a delegation from India will meet major companies in Australia. The industry is looking at 20% growth in exports to Australia in 2023-24. “Our industry is trying to contact buyers in Australia. Those already exporting to Australia will be expanding supplies. The business has not grown as much as we would have liked, but now with the interim FTA in place, we are quite hopeful of seeing a significant increase with anti-China sentiments also at a peak there," said Goenka. He added that a delegation of Indian exporters will hold a meeting with “big companies" in Australia this October. “There are mass merchandising brands and also specific brands that we will be meeting and trying to push more business," he said. “We have informed the potential of Australian market to all our members, who are excited that there will be definitive growth." A. Sakthivel, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, said India’s apparel exporters will participate in the apparel textile fair in Melbourne scheduled around 20 November. “Once the ECTA is ratified, it will make way for more engagement between buyers and sellers on the two sides," said Sakthivel. The ECTA is expected to be placed before the Australian parliament for ratification after it is examined by a standing committee. India’s textile exports had declined over the decades, with countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, emerging as large textile export hubs. According to Morgan Stanley, the export share of low-skilled manufacturing goods (textiles, ready-made garments, gems & jewellery) has declined to 19.1% in FY21 from 28% in FY2010).
Source: Live Mint
"The authority hereby initiates an anti-circumvention investigation...to consider extension of existing anti-dumping duty on imports," the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) said in a notification. India has initiated a probe into the alleged circumvention of anti-dumping duty imposed on high tenacity polyester yarn (HTPY) originating from China, based on an application filed by NSE 0.81 % . "The authority hereby initiates an anti-circumvention investigation...to consider extension of existing anti-dumping duty on imports," the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) said in a notification. It said the application for initiating the probe has been filed by NSE 0.81 % ( NSE 0.81 % ), a major producer of HTPY in India. The application is supported by Wellknown Polyesters Ltd, DGTR said. HTPY is used for the manufacture of tyre cord fabric, seat belt webbing, ropes, single cord, coated fabric, conveyer belt fabric, rubberised hose and fire hose. The finance ministry had imposed the anti-dumping duty on the product imported from China on July 9, 2018, and it is in force till July 8, 2023. The period of investigation is 2021-22.
Source: Economic Times
The Uttar Pradesh government will soon bring a new textile policy incorporating innovations that will boost investment and increase employment generation capacity in the state. A senior official said on condition of anonymity that the draft of the policy had been prepared and sent to the advisory committee of the government for its opinion. “With the implementation of the new policy, investment in the textile industry in the state will increase further. Along with this, employment opportunities will be created,” the official said. To start with, the process has been initiated for the acquisition of land for the establishment of Mega Integrated Textile and Apparel Park in Hardoi under the PM Mitra Scheme of the Union Textiles Ministry. “The establishment of textile units in the park is likely to provide employment to about five lakh persons,” the official said. He said there was also a proposal to set up an apparel park in Noida with an investment of Rs 3,000 crore. Land for developing the park has been arranged. “About 115 export-oriented textile units will be set up in this apparel park with an investment of Rs 3,000 crore, which is likely to provide employment to about two lakh persons,” the draft of the new policy says. The policy says that this region is full of skilled weavers but the irony is that because of Banarasi silk saris, the focus is only on Varanasi thus pushing the weavers of other regions into an unorganised sector. “The Yogi government wants to bring them (weavers) into the organised sector to give respect to them and their skills,” the official said.
Source: Daily Pioneer
Good relations with Uzbekistan is key to India’s vision of an integrated extended neighbourhood, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles Piyush Goyal said. Addressing the 13th session of the India-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission (IGC), Goyal said India and Uzbekistan are celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations. In his remarks, the minister said India is keen to have a vibrant people-to-people relationship with Uzbekistan. “Trade relations are a natural outcome of strengthening of bilateral relations. We need to take the relations forward in newer areas like technology, digital payment solutions and investment in start-ups,” the minister said. The minister emphasised on the need to identify new drivers for ambitious growth in bilateral trade between India and Uzbekistan. He stressed upon the need for an integrated approach for regional connectivity and cooperation, according to an official statement released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry on Thursday. Goyal underlined seven emerging areas of cooperation between both the nations namely Digital Payments, Space Cooperation, Agri and Dairy, Pharma, Gems and Jewellery, MSME and Inter-regional cooperation. He said that despite the COVID pandemic, interactions and trade have increased in the last few years. Bilateral trade between India and Uzbekistan rose from USD 247 million in 2019-20 to USD 342 million in 2021-22, a growth of 38.5 per cent. “We need to explore initiatives to improve connectivity in facilitating trade between our countries,” he said. The Uzbekistan delegation was led by Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In his address at the event, Khodjaev said that he is looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Uzbekistan in September. He said the visit of PM Modi will be utilised fully for giving a significant boost to the bilateral relations in several areas of mutual interest. IGC meeting is an important platform to deliberate on ideas, discuss issues and strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the field of trade and investment.
Source: The Print
A five-member delegation from India led by Dr. Srikar K Reddy, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India, accompanied by His Excellency Mr. Ajit Gupte, Ambassador of India to Egypt, called on Her Excellency Mrs. Nevine Gamea, Minister of Trade and Industry, Arab Republic of Egypt, in Cairo on 26 July 2022. The agreed minutes of the 5th Session of the India-Egypt Joint Trade Committee (JTC), held on 25 July 2022, were signed between the two sides in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister. The JTC was co-chaired by Mr. Yahya El Wathik Bellah, First Under Secretary and Head of Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS); and Dr. Srikar K Reddy, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India. His Excellency Mr. Ajit Gupte, Ambassador of India to Egypt, and officials from concerned Government agencies of India and Egypt also participated in the JTC. The 5th India-Egypt JTC took place in the backdrop of robust growth in trade and investment ties between India and Egypt. Bilateral trade reached a historic record high of USD 7.26 bn in FY 2021-22 which is an increase of 75% over FY 2020-21. Egypt is also one of the largest investment destinations for India in the region with existing Indian investment of USD 3.15 bn. Indian companies continue to execute several projects in Egypt. Both sides undertook a detailed review of recent developments in trade and investment ties and noted that the relationship, while already excellent, has huge potential to be scaled up even further. To this effect, both sides identified several areas of focus for enhancing both bilateral trade as well as mutually beneficial investments. These include food, agro and marine products, energy particularly renewable energy including green hydrogen and green ammonia, health and pharmaceuticals, chemicals and petrochemicals, MSMEs, engineering goods, manufacturing, IT and IT enabled services, tourism, and so on. Both sides also reviewed the progress of ongoing discussions for Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in the field of standards, IT, and transport, and agreed to conclude them expeditiously. Affirming mutual keenness in diversifying and expanding trade and investment linkages, both sides set an annual bilateral trade target of US$ 12 billion to be achieved within 5 years. To accelerate trade, both sides agreed to expeditiously address all issues impeding bilateral trade; facilitate trade promotion between the two countries; and identify bilateral focal points to further strengthen bilateral institutional cooperation. Both sides made progress in the discussion on resolution of non-tariff barriers with the Egyptian side agreeing to expedite scheduling of the visit of its technical delegations to India to address NTB issues related to export of some of the Indian agricultural products to Egypt. Also, with reference to cooperation in pharmaceuticals sector, Egyptian side agreed to initiate technical discussions with concerned agency in India to take forward the proposal of inclusion of India in the list of reference countries accepted by Egyptian authorities for import of pharmaceutical products. On 26th July 2022, 5th meeting of Joint Business Council (JBC) was jointly organized by FICCI and Egyptian Commercial Services. A large business delegation from India is currently visiting Egypt to participate in the JBC and to hold B2B interactions with their Egyptian counterparts. Presence of large business delegation comprising of representatives of prominent business houses from both, India and Egypt, and leading business personalities belonging to the sectors of interest attested to the strong interest and enthusiasm among businesses of both countries to enhance economic and trade relations. The deliberations of the 5th Sessions of India-Egypt JTC and JBC were cordial and forward-looking, reflecting the traditionally friendly and special relations between the two countries. The meetings of the JTC and JBC were timely and productive, reflecting a common desire of the business communities of both sides to renew and strengthen trade and investment ties in the post-pandemic era and take them to new heights.
Source: PIB
The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Federation of Indian Art Silk Weaving Industry (FIASWI) jointly organized a meeting with industrialists from all sectors of the textile industry on July 27. Speaking after the meeting, chamber president Himanshu Bodawala said that today’s meeting was held to take suggestions on how the scheme should be when the A-TUF scheme has been discontinued and the new TTDA scheme is being introduced by the centre. It was jointly decided in the meeting that the A-Tuff scheme is suitable for the purpose of development of all sectors of the textile industry. Therefore, the industrialists demanded that TTDS should be implemented immediately and the A-TUF scheme should be continued till the retrospective implementation of TTDS from 1st April-2016. Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways of India Darshanben Jardosh and Gujarat BJP State President C.R., Chamber and Fiasvi, led by Patil, together with leaders from all the textile sectors will make an interactive presentation to Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi. Chamber President Himanshu Bodawala, fiasco President Bharat Gandhi, Ashish Gujrathi, Fogwa President Ashok Jeerawala, South Gujarat Textile Processing Association President Jitendra Vakharia Sachin Industrial Estate Mayur Golwala, Vice President of Wedroad Weavers Association Bhupendra Chahawala were among those present at the meeting.
Source: KNN India
• In 2020-21, India was NSW's third-largest source of international students, sixth largest source of tourists and 11th largest two-way trading partner, with two-way merchandise trade at $4.6 billion Investment NSW, Australia’s New South Wales government’s trade and investment attraction agency, has launched its office in Mumbai, which opened for business on Thursday. This comes four months after India and Australia signed an interim trade pact called economic cooperation and trade agreement (ECTA) in April. This is yet to be ratified by both the sides. The office is aimed to promote exports from New South Wales to India, boost investments and improve services trade by attracting Indian students and tourists to Australia. India and Australia are looking to deepen bilateral trade and investment engagement as they begin negotiations for the full free trade agreement called comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA). The office in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex will facilitate NSW businesses seeking trade and investment opportunities with India. India and Australia had signed the interim free trade deal on 2 April, providing the former duty-free access on 95% tariff lines that it exports to Canberra, including textiles, leather, furniture, jewellery, machinery and select medical devices. India has offered immediate tariff elimination on 40% of its tariff lines comprising 85% of Australia’s exports in value terms to India and another 30.3% of its tariff lines will see elimination or reduction of tariffs over 3,5,7 and 10-year time period. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, who officially opened the new Mumbai office said, "Our strong relationship with India is underpinned by shared values and interests, and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter of trade and investment relations between India and NSW…India is a key Indo-Pacific partner to Australia and an economic juggernaut. NSW is proud to partner with India's government and business community to drive greater prosperity for the people of our two nations." In 2020-21, India was NSW's third-largest source of international students, sixth largest source of tourists and 11th largest two-way trading partner, with two-way merchandise trade at $4.6 billion. Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said the office will work to deliver direct benefits for NSW by attracting Indian investments in NSW, helping boost business opportunities to benefit the local economy. "India is NSW's most important business partner, with significant export opportunities across a range of sectors including food and beverage, education and edtech, health and medtech and technology, "Ayres said
Source: Live Mint
The total disbursement during 2020 was $48.7 billion, which translates to India getting 4 per cent of the disbursements India received the highest aid for trade in 2020 at $2.7 billion from developed countries even as the receipts declined during the pandemic year compared to $3.9 billion received in 2019. The World Trade Organisation-led aid for trade flows is particularly meant for the least developed economies. It consists of official development support to build supply-side capacity and trade-related infrastructure to enable such countries to participate in international trade. Bangladesh was the second largest recipient of the aid, followed by Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Vietnam, Pakistan, Morocco, Myanmar and Indonesia, among others. Institutions such as the World Bank, European Union Institutions, Asian Development Bank, and developed countries such as Japan, United States, Germany, France are among the top donors for the aid. According to a joint Aid for Trade at a Glance 2022 report issued by the WTO and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) aid for trade commitments increased by 18 per cent during 2020, reaching an all-time high of $64.6 billion. The total disbursement during 2020 was $48.7 billion, which translates to India getting 4 per cent of the disbursements. Trade experts, however, said that while reports show that India–a developing country–receiving the maximum amount of aid under the WTO initiative may be an incorrect depiction. “Funds disbursed to India under ‘aid for trade’ may not be an accurate depiction of what India has actually received (as aid). India is a part of a few bilateral cooperation agenda but that does not translate into aid from developed nations,” a trade expert said, adding that the number published in the report may have included such bilateral arrangements. Amid a series of disruptions in the global trade, starting with the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 and a Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the value of the aid for trade has only reaffirmed as a tool to mitigate the impact of the crisis, the report said. Several new aid for trade projects were launched to specifically address the pandemicrelated challenges. In 2020, $4.7 billion such aid was allocated to Covid-19-related activities. This translates into a share of 7 per cent as compared to the overall aid in that year. “The Aid for Trade initiative can and should aim to help develop critical trade infrastructure while supporting climate friendly, resilient and socio economically inclusive outcomes,” WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a statement. She called for increased private sector involvement in trade-related development assistance to ensure recovery and resilience and suggested rebranding aid for trade as ‘Investment for Trade’ to underline the importance of greater public-private sector cooperation.
Source: Business Standard
Central Vietnam and India’s eastern city of Kolkata have been linked by a new shipping route, which was recently inaugurated in virtual mode. To be operated by the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC), the route will address the lack of a direct sea route connecting the two countries and reduce export-import costs as sea freight rates have increased in the past years. This route will shorten the transportation time to 14-15 days compared to 21-22 days for other routes. The corporation plans to launch another route to Bangladesh’s Chittagong port this October, a news agency reported. India is Vietnam's 8th largest trading partner and two-way trade is likely to reach $15 billion this year, the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, Bui Trung Thuong, head of the Vietnam trade office in India, said at the inauguration ceremony. VIMC considers India an important trading partner of Vietnam in its development strategy, VIMC deputy general director Le Quang Trung said. VIMC inaugurated a container shipping route linking Vietnam, Malaysia and India in November last year to ease pressure on cargo transportation, stabilise the supply of transport services and support domestic firms.
Source: Fibre 2 Fashion
Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha (IPICOL) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) signed a MoU making FICCI as National Industry Partner for the Make In Odisha Conclave 2022, which is scheduled to be held from November 30th to December 4th. The MoU signing ceremony was presided over by Sh. Pratap Keshari Deb, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, MSME & Energy, Government of Odisha, Sh. Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary, Industries Government of Odisha, Sh. Arun Chawla, Director General, FICCI and by senior officers of IPICOL & FICCI. Sh. Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary Industries, gave the introductory remarks and underlined the fact that Make in Odisha is the most enterprising event in Odisha, attracting investors, entrepreneurs, and industrialists alike. The preceding two events have already had a tremendous impact by making Odisha the preferred investment destination. The trend will continue this year, and the conclave will reach new heights, bringing more investments and job opportunities to the state. Speaking about the Make in Odisha conclave, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, MSME & Energy, Government of Odisha, Sh. Pratap Keshari Deb told “This is going to be the third edition of the Make in Odisha Conclave. The first MIO in 2016 witnessed an overwhelming response receiving over Rs 2 Lakh Crores worth of investment intent. Over 5000 delegates participated in it and it had over 50 speakers from across the globe, in the second edition it was over Rs 4 lakh crores of investment intent, the goal of this year’s conclave is to surpass all the expectations and more importantly, to firmly put Odisha on the global map.” The hon’ble minister also stated that “the state has grown at 10.1% making it one of the fastest growing economies in India. Manufacturing sector with 56% share in Industrial GSVA grew at 14.3% in 2021-22 while mining sector with 21% share registered 18.1% growth.” He also drew the attention towards the fact that Odisha has become a destination of choice for industries in the metal and allied sectors owing to our natural resources and ecosystem advantage. The Government has proactively taken measures to broad-base the industrial ecosystem in the state, with focus sectors like chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles and apparel among others. Speaking about the natural resources, he said “Odisha has 96 percent of India’s chromite reserves, 92 percent nickel reserves, 53 percent bauxite, 45 percent manganese, 35 percent iron-one, and 23 percent coal reserves. • This has made Odisha the largest producer of Steel, Stainless Steel, Ferro Alloys, Alumina, and Aluminium in India.” Sh. Arun Chawla, Director General, FICCI highlighted the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Naveen Patnaik, immense investment potential across sectors, proactive approach of the State Government officials and focus on ease of doing business as the key strengths of Odisha. He also mentioned that “FICCI will leverage its sectoral expertise; tremendous industry connects and experience for the successful organization of the event.” In his concluding remarks,Sh. Bhupendra Singh Poonia, MD, IPICOLthanked all the dignitaries for gracing the occasion and conveyed the commitment of IPICOLfor creating and executing tangible milestones in furtherance of this MoU. About IPICOL: Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha (IPICOL) is the single point of contact for all industrial investments in the State. IPICOL is responsible for devising the investment promotion, facilitation, and aftercare strategy for the state of Odisha. IPICOL, as the investment promotion agency of the State of Odisha, undertakes all activities to promote Odisha as the investment destination of choice. About FICCI: A non-government, not-for-profit organisation, FICCI is the voice of India’s business and industry. From influencing policy to encouraging debate, engaging with policy makers and civil society, FICCI articulates the views and concerns of industry. It serves its members from the Indian private and public corporate sectors and multinational companies, drawing its strength from diverse regional chambers of commerce and industry across states, reaching out to over 2,50,000 companies. FICCI provides a platform for networking and consensus building within and across sectors and is the first port of call for Indian industry, policy makers and the international business community.
Source: Pragativadi
Singapore (27.01%) and USA (17.94%) have emerged as top 2 sourcing nations in FDI equity flows into India in FY2021-22 followed by Mauritius (15.98%), Netherland (7.86%) and Switzerland (7.31%). It may be noted that as per the UNCTAD World Investment Report (WIR) 2022, in its analysis of the global trends in FDI inflows, India has improved one position to 7th rank among the top 20 host economies for 2021. India is rapidly emerging as a preferred country for foreign investments in the manufacturing sector. FDI Equity inflow in Manufacturing Sectors have increased by 76% in FY 2021-22 (USD 21.34 billion) compared to previous FY 2020-21 (USD 12.09 billion). The Government has implemented several transformative reforms under the FDI policy regime across sectors such as insurance, defence, telecom, financial services, pharmaceuticals, retail trading, e-commerce, construction & development, civil aviation, manufacturing etc. Despite the ongoing pandemic and global developments, India received the highest annual FDI inflows of USD 84,835 million in FY 21-22 overtaking last year’s FDI by USD 2.87 billion. Earlier, FDI inflows increased from USD 74,391 million in FY 19-20 to USD 81,973 million in FY 20-21. The Government continues to liberalize investment restrictions, eliminate regulatory barriers, nurture international relations and improve business environment. Changes are made in the FDI policy after having consultations with stakeholders including apex industry chambers, associations, representatives of industries/groups and other organizations. While foreign investments are permitted under the automatic route in most sectors/activities, due to strategic reasons certain investments are either restricted or permitted under the Government approval route through a screening mechanism as per the prescribed framework. Top 5 sectors receiving highest FDI Equity Inflow during FY 2021-22 are Computer Software & Hardware (24.60%), Services Sector (Fin., Banking, Insurance, Non www.citiindia.org 8 CITI-NEWS LETTER Fin/Business, Outsourcing, R&D, Courier, Tech. Testing and Analysis, Other) (12.13%), Automobile Industry (11.89%), Trading 7.72% and Construction (Infrastructure) Activities (5.52%). Top 5 States receiving highest FDI Equity Inflow during FY 2021-22 are Karnataka (37.55%), Maharashtra (26.26%), Delhi (13.93%), Tamil Nadu (5.10%) and Haryana (4.76%) Top 5 sectors receiving highest FDI Equity Inflow during FY 2021-22 are Computer Software & Hardware (24.60%), Services Sector (Fin., Banking, Insurance, Non Fin/Business, Outsourcing, R&D, Courier, Tech. Testing and Analysis, Other) (12.13%), Automobile Industry (11.89%), Trading 7.72% and Construction (Infrastructure) Activities (5.52%). During FY 2021-22 FDI has been reported from 101 countries, whereas, it was reported from 97 countries during previous FY 2020-21. In India FDI up to 100% is allowed in non-critical sectors through the automatic route, not requiring security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Prior government approval or security clearance from MHA is required for investments in sensitive sectors such as defence, media, telecommunication, satellites, private security agencies, civil aviation and mining, besides any investment from Pakistan and Bangladesh. All foreign investments are required to be in compliance with the applicable entry route, sectoral cap, attendant conditions, sectoral laws, Companies Act, 2013 and rules thereunder, pricing guidelines, documentation and reporting requirements. The FDI policy regime continues to welcome all investments in the country subject to compliance of applicable entry conditions and rules/regulations.
Source: PIB
The Togolese government wants to adopt a textile and clothing policy covering the period 2022 to 2030. A decree was examined in this framework last Monday, during the council of ministers. “Toward increasing its cotton processing capacity and being more attractive, our country has adopted an integrated policy for the textile and clothing industry that will focus on improving the production and processing of cotton produced in Togo,” the council’s statement reads For now, few details are known about this new policy. But, it was revealed that it should leverage Togo’s capacity to attract foreign investors, through administrative and tax incentives, and the textile processing capacity of the Industrial Platform of Adétikopé (PIA). It should be noted that a few weeks ago, the government adopted a bill to introduce a free zone in the textile and clothing sector. According to the authorities, the goal is to boost employment and “increase the per capita income of the population, thus improving the national economy.” “Implementing this policy will also help to achieve the country's ambition to create real extractive and transformative industries, per the government's 2020-2025 roadmap,” the ministers added.
Source: Togo First
New collective is a 2-year agreement, effective from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024 The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) this week, settled its wage dispute in the Non-Woven textile sector. This follows on a series of other recent settlements which the trade union has successfully achieved, and reported on. SACTWU declared a formal wage dispute for the Non-Woven textile sector, on 17th June 2022. Negotiations in this sector started on April 21, 2022, and when no settlement could be reached after 3 formal rounds of wage talks, the union declared the dispute. Settlement was reached on July 15, 2022, and the final agreement was eventually signed last Thursday (21 July 2022). These new wage increases for SACTWU’s Non-Woven textile sector members will be backdated to 1 July 2022, which is the normal implementation date. Moreover, this new collective agreement for the Non-Woven textile sector is a 2-year agreement, effective from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024. It provides for wage increases of 7% during the first year of the collective agreement, and the same rand amount for the second year. Furthermore, this new collective agreement was successfully concluded under the dispute processes and procedures of the National Textile Bargaining Council (NTBC), with employers represented by the National Textile Manufacturers’ Association (NTMA). In addition to the wage increases, this new Non-Woven textile sector agreement also provides for the following improvements, amongst other: • abolishment of new entry level wage provisions; • an increase in the long service allowance; • a compulsory requirement that annual bonuses are payable no later than at least 1 week before Christmas day; • abolishment of the restriction that no annual bonus is applicable if an employee leaves employment before 1 November, and replaced with a provision that such employees will earn a pro-rata annual bonus; • an increase in the annual bonus by 1 extra paid day. Essentially, this now signed new collective agreement for the Non-Woven textile sector will be submitted to the Minister of Employment & Labour, with a request for its gazettal and extension to non-party employers.
Source: News Ghana
The EU Horizon 2020 New Cotton Project has initiated commercial production of garments using a new recycled fibre. The three-year EU Cotton Project, which counts Adidas and H&M as its partners, says it has successfully completed the first half of its programme, demonstrating implementation of the entire value chain. Consortium leader Infinited Fiber Company (IFC) says it is now producing its Infinna recycled fibre from waste materials. Adidas and H&M will launch new products using the fibre in their autumn/winter 2022 collections. They will be the first to be produced through a collaborative consortium dedicated to demonstrating the potential of a circular model for commercial garment production, testing a new, innovative, and more sustainable way of working. The results of the project have been revealed in a white paper today (28 July), which explores the benefits of the circular economy and its potential for the fashion industry. Scheduled across a three-year timeline, the consortium set out to collect and sort endof-life textiles, which using pioneering Infinited Fiber technology could be regenerated into a new man-made cellulosic fibre called Infinna, which looks and feels just like virgin cotton. The midway point sees the consortium celebrate the successful implementation of the entire value chain from textile sorting to the production of garment samples. The textiles sorting and mechanical processing phase of the project has been completed by Frankenhuis, which analysed fabric composition of sorted textiles and explored pre-processing techniques to identify the correct feedstock for the Infinited Fiber Company process. These initial steps were supported by REvolve Waste, whose ongoing work to map the location and content of textiles waste across Europe will continue through-out the project. The initial batches of Infinna were processed by manufacturers Kipas, Inovafil and Tekstina to test and produce high-value yarns and fabric in order to run quality checks and test dyeability, which has yielded highly positive results. Adidas and H&M successfully tested and developed styles made with the unique fabric and are now preparing for the commercial production run. The Project, launched in 2020, aims to answer the challenges laid out by the EU in driving adoption of the circular economy within the textiles sector. As such, the consortium has brought together twelve players from across the manufacturing value chain along with leading research institutes. The initiative set out to harness technology and collaboration to demonstrate a potential circular model for commercial garment production. The process to date has highlighted a number of challenges and opportunities for the future of closed-loop end-of-life solutions in textiles: • Fibre identification technologies in recycling have limitations and there is a lack of a unified way to sort. • Mandatory reporting requirements for fibre composition in textile products help to assess the recyclability of materials on the market in a more reliable way. • New ways of communicating and working through-out the value chain need to be implemented to build closer collaboration between designers, sorting facilities and recycling technologies. • An Adidas quantitative consumer survey conducted across three key markets reveals there is still a lack of understanding around circularity in the context of textiles highlighting a need for greater ongoing consumer education. • The Adidas survey also revealed that more than half of consumers want to engage with brand-independent take-back schemes, with Adidas’ garments from this project designed to be ‘Made To Be Remade” and included in its circular services return programme. • The survey also highlighted an overall positive perception of recycled fabrics, and willingness to accept differences in recycled fabric, indicating that a larger offer of recycled clothing will be well received in the market. With the Project now entering its second phase, the consortium aims to focus on data collection and analysis in order to highlight relevant insights for the industry, which will be disseminated by Fashion for Good. RISE will also develop the Life Cycle Assessment, identifying progress opportunities to further develop the concept. H&M recently invested in cotton agriculture technology company Materra, which is working to revolutionise the cotton industry.
Source: Just Style
