According to an earlier timeline set by the CDP, Bangladesh was set to leave the LDC category in 2024. However, given the COVID-19 pandemic and taking note of a request by the Bangladesh government the graduation year was deferred by two years, i.e., in 2026. However, how many days are passing, the concern to cope with the new status is becoming more visible.Figure 1: Prior to the LDC graduation, Bangladesh has to overcome many hurdles.Keeping this in mind Bangladesh is focusing on bilateral fre

Recent data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) showing that in the July-October period the home textile export climbed 47.86% to $354.25 million this year from $239.59 million last year.The export number also indicates an 18.24% growth than the quarterly target of $299.61 million set by the government earlier.In the previous fiscal year, Bangladesh’s home textile sector earned $758.91 million.Figure: The demand has skyrocketed.Besides the everyday items such as bedsheets, curtains, kitchen l

A report headlined “Dozens Die as Another Factory Fire Strikes Bangladesh” published in the New York Times on July 9, 2021, has drawn our attention. We are extremely disappointed by the spurious claims made in the report that unjustifiably attempted to malign the apparel industry of Bangladesh.Figure1: The safety transformation was done through an unprecedented collaboration of the global brands and retailers, manufacturers, government, ILO, development partners, and local and global unions.The

The Bangladesh govt. has decided that all kinds of factories in Bangladesh will stay closed from 23 July to 5 August as the government will enforce strict COVID-19 lockdown throughout the time after easing restrictions one week due to Eid. If Eid holidays are taken together, the industry will have to stay closed for at least 18 days in a row.The Cabinet Division has issued a gazette notification on Tuesday in this regard detailing the rules and regulations to be imposed from 23 July.Industry exp

Swedish footwear brand Vagabond Shoemakers is looking to reduce emissions “going forward” following the release of its sustainability report for 2020.Last year the brand said in the wake of the pandemic it focused on breaking down its value chain to better apply its sustainability activities to each company function. This evaluation work was done alongside switching to more sustainable materials, “component by component” as it pushes for prolonging the product life cycle with initiatives includi

Leave it to Timothée Chalamet to serve up the anti-Cannesphotocall look. While his co-stars ofThe French Dispatchdid Haider Ackermann suits and Chanel co-ords, the curly-haired actor rocked up to the Croisette wearing a graphic tee and black slacks tucked into heavy-duty Givenchy boots. Polite style this was not, but did it make us love him even more? Hell yes.A Timothée Chalamet blue steel moment atThe French Dispatchphotocall.DANIELE VENTURELLIA volte-face from yesterday’selectric Tom Ford sui

British fashion and lifestyle retailer Cath Kidston has named Suzanne Egleton as its chief commercial officer, effective immediately.Egleton joins from AllSaints, where she was global digital and marketing director. Before that, she also held digital roles for Ted Baker, Joules and French Connection.In the newly created role for the brand, Egleton has been tasked with overseeing all revenue channels for the retailer, which has pivoted to abrand-led, digital-first retailerafter being saved from a

Pacsunhas named rapper and entrepreneur A$AP Rocky its first guest director. In a partnership with Rocky’s A$AP Worldwide, the performer and fashionisto will oversee designer collaborations, brand campaigns, in-store activations to support the launches in both the Pacsun DTLA and SoHo stores. Over the next 18 months, A$AP Rocky’s goal will be driving a new wave of premium streetwear and style to the LA-based multi-brand retailer.rapper A$AP Rocky to collaborate with Pacsun“This partnership is sp

BRUSSELS - Proposals to create a Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) system to measure the environmental impact of apparel and footwear products sold within the European Union have gone out to public consultation.The PEF Technical Secretariat of key industry players, including H&M, Decathlon, Zara owner Inditex, Nike, GoreTex, Sympatex, Lacoste, C&A and VF Corp, is developing the method for the European Commission.Manufacturers, trade bodies, natural fibre associations and sustainabili

VICTORIA – The new chairman of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has refused to be drawn on discussions surrounding the fate of mulesing in the country’s wool sector, saying it’s up to industry leaders to “set a clear direction”.Speaking with Australian news websiteSheep Central, Jock Laurie said there wasn’t “absolute clarity” in market feedback on how to address mulesing and animal welfare, and so any changes must be clear for all to see.“We will continue to invest to provide opportunities for