HeiQ has announced the launch of HeiQ Fabric Lab, a new service to assist brands with fabric innovation so they can turn their product concepts into reality. HeiQ, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, is a leader in textile innovation creating some of the most effective, durable and high-performance textile technologies on the market today. Pic: HeiQ In today’s world, time is the new currency. Employees have valuable product ideas but limited time to turn them into reality, let alone have

The timely and logical draft e-commerce policy for export promotion by the Indian Government requires many improvements, according to Ganesh Kumar Gupta, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) set up by the commerce ministry. The word ‘e-commerce’ should have a common definition in various acts and policies, FIEO feels. Pic: bruce mars from Pexels The Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) benefit is only confined to e-commerce shipment through foreign post

Union minister of commerce & industry and civil aviation, Suresh Prabhu recently inaugurated National Institutes of Design (NID) at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and Jorhat in Assam. These new NIDs in various parts of the country will help produce highly skilled manpower in design which, in turn, will create job opportunities, both direct and indirect. Both institutes are autonomous under department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT), ministry of commerce and industry. They w

Fabriclore has collaborated with Hatheli Sansthan to co-design and develop products directly with rural artisans, expanding production capacity to market it globally. The partnership is aimed at building a sustainable livelihood for artisans. It has 384 registered artisans spread across 48 villages, of which 323 artisans are women trained in various crafts. Pic: Fabriclore"We believe it is the responsibility of the e-commerce industry to support the artisans and weavers across the country and

Itochu Corporation has announced its participation, by capital investment, in the acquisition of The Lycra Company by its capital alliance and business partner Shandong Ruyi Science and Technology Group. Looking ahead, Itochu will work in conjunction with Shandong Ruyi to further increase the corporate value of Lycra and maximise collaborative synergies. Pic: Itochu US-based The Lycra Company was established as the result of carving out the apparel and advanced textiles operations of US te

Canada’s Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) has praised the province’s premier Rachel Notley’s Made-in-Alberta energy strategy and the resulting Nauticol methanol plant south of Grande Prairie city. Three thousand direct and indirect jobs, including 1,000 direct construction jobs, at the plant will be great for Alberta workers, said AFL president Gil McGowan. “This is exactly the kind of diversification Alberta’s economy needs and we are very pleased this plant is moving forward,” said McGow

The Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA) has sent a representation to the Union commerce minister for extending (i) IGST exemption for import of capital goods under EPCG scheme and (ii) inputs under Advance Authorisation scheme beyond March 31, 2019. The association has sought extension for another two years to help the domestic industry bounce back. Pic: Pxhere “After implementation of GST, TEA had requested for exemption from the payment of IGST while importing capital goods under EPCG sc

SGS is functioning to help clothing manufacturers prove sustainability to consumers using the Higg Index FEM Module and the FSLM Module. SGS has a range of services to help companies develop and manage comprehensive programmes related to better environmental sustainability. It offers verification services according to SAC Higg verification protocols. Manufacturers and suppliers of clothing can no longer ignore the demand from consumers for sustainable production methods. To help stakeholders

India, China, South Africa and Venezuela have insisted on continuing with the special and differential (S&D) treatment for developing nations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), countering US efforts for equal treatment for all members. Self-declaration of developing member status had been a long-standing practice and best serves WTO objectives, the four nations said. In a paper submitted recently to WTO, the nations said the persistence of the enormous development divide between the

The WarehouseOS, a new tablet-based warehouse operations system software, keeps track of apparel inventory electronically from the moment they are received to the time they are shipped. From small e-commerce to high volume stock keeping unit (SKU) facilities, from omnichannel companies to FMCG, WarehouseOS maximises throughput of warehousing facilities. Unlike other industries with fixed product inventory, SKU proliferation can be a problem in the constantly changing apparel industry. Consume