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textiles | garments

Blaming China: Indonesian garment makers say free trade pact leaves them on brink of collapse
26-Apr-2010
Mufardi Rusli’s neighbors hunch over tables covered in brightly colored fabric, the whirring of their sewing machines echoing across his Jakarta neighborhood. For Rusli, the sound is a bitter reminder of the $2 line of jackets that bankrupted him, costing him a garment business it took 15 years to build.
NTA sees danger in administrations plans for TPP Agreement
26-Mar-2010 NTA
The US National Textile Association is worried that the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement could undermine the basis for textile rules of origin in US FTAs and that if more APEC members join the US will be outvoted.
Mari Rebuffs Free Trade Agreement Criticism
19-Jan-2010
Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu on Monday dismissed criticism that she had been slow to respond to concerns about the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement, insisting the ministry has been engaged in “informal communications” about the deal with Asean.
We need to be more careful in future
11-Oct-2009
It is normal for trade agreements to have a political overtone. The Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) initiated by the USA during the 1990s are a good example of this. Its FTAs with Caribbean, South American, North American and African countries covered ‘substantially all the trade’ as required under the WTO norms, but in practice they were all textile-centric , providing for duty-free import of apparel products manufactured out of raw materials obtained from the USA.
Free trade delay with China sought: Ministry
13-Jul-2009 Jakarta Post
Bowing to pressure from textile producers, Indonesia’s Industry Ministry has agreed to reassess the costs and benefits of the China-ASEAN free trade agreement, and may even propose a postponement.
"We oppose free trade negotiations with Vietnam" - Johnson, NCTO
5-Mar-2009 Fibre2Fashion
At a hearing on proposed free trade negotiations with countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership area (TPP), the US National Council of Textile Organisations opposed the proposed inclusion of Vietnam in the negotiations and said the textile industry would oppose any agreement that included Vietnam.
Garment factories hit by high production costs
2-Feb-2009 Jordan Times
Some garment factories in Jordan’s Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) are relocating to other countries because of high production costs
Labour-intensive exports to gain from India-Australia trade pact
16-Oct-2008
The proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Australia could result in better market access for labour-intensive Indian exp orts including textiles, clothing and footwear where existing tariffs are high in Australia. While the sectors are perceived as “sensitive” in Australia, the country believes in elimination of tariffs on all sectors in its FTAs, Australian trade officials say.
Policy delay hits textile industry
13-Oct-2008
Policy paralysis in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) is compounding problems for the region’s struggling clothing and textiles industry.
Congress Approves Extension Of Andean Trade Agreement
8-Oct-2008
Congress has approved an extension of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), covering trade with Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia in a move supported by the Bush administration, US textile manufacturers and importers of textiles and apparel.
RI asks Australia, New Zealand to open their textile markets
13-May-2008
Indonesia has asked Australia and New Zealand to open their textile and textile product markets under a free trade arrangement (FTA) with ASEAN.
Textile Union Welcomes Tariff Freeze
10-May-2008
Today’s announcement by Commerce Minister, Lianne Dalziel, of a freeze on general tariff reductions for two years from July 2009 has been welcomed by the National Distribution Union. The NDU represents workers in the textile, clothing and footwear industries.
U.S. sock makers wage war on Gildan imports
6-May-2008
Just two years after launching an ambitious plan to become a major player in the North American hosiery business, Gildan Activewear Inc. finds itself caught up in an international trade dispute over the flood of socks into the U.S. from Honduras.
India to provide textiles’ duty free market for SAFTA
23-Apr-2008
India will provide duty reduction to the Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) member countries ranging from zero to five percent within ten years, said Minister of State for Textiles, E V K S Elangovan today.
Gildan may get caught up in U.S. election politics on Honduras tariff ruling
4-Mar-2008
Canadian sock manufacturing giant Gildan Activewear Inc. (TSX:GIL) could get caught in the middle of U.S. election-year politics as the Bush administration decides whether to end the company’s duty-free shipments of socks from Honduras.
Qualified industrial zones: Trade deal with the US and Israel boosts textiles
11-Dec-2007 FT
The deal allows Egyptians to export to the US tariff-free as long as they use a certain percentage of Israeli goods. The US initiative is intended to foster peace through trade. Qiz’s impact on thawing the political relations is questionable. But, for Egyptian garment producers, it has meant a chance to stand up to the competition posed by Asian producers.
Deal signed to export 8 million pieces of apparels to India
17-Sep-2007 People’s Daily
Bangladesh signed a deal with India to export 8 million pieces of readymade garments to the neighboring country with zero tariffs under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement.
Pakistan hopes for US action on trade zones
7-Aug-2007 Reuters
Pakistan wants the United States to pass legislation on "reconstruction opportunity zones" that would allow it and Afghanistan to export textiles, clothing and other goods without paying US duties.
Morocco invites Pakistan to export textiles under FTA
3-Aug-2007 Daily Times
Pakistani entrepreneurs should take advantage of Morocco’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with USA and European Union, particularly in the textile and readymade garments, Morocco Ambassador Mohammed Rida El Fassi said.
Vietnam : EPA talks hang in balance
15-Jul-2007 Fibre2fashion
Garment and textile manufacturers in Vietnam have shown their disapproval of Japan’s desire to impose origin regulations under the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations which began in January this year.