Export orders for leather and leather goods dropped significantly in the last few months due to the ongoing political unrest, industry people said.As things work in the leather industry, buyers usually place orders after physically visiting the factories due to the sophistication in manufacturing processes. But, thanks to the political unrest buyers are vehemently avoiding visiting Bangladesh of late, said Mohammed Nazmul Hassan Sohail, managing director of Leatherex Footwear Industry Ltd, a

Cambodia’s garment industry is following in Bangladesh’s footsteps in the way social and political problems are starting to erode a low-cost labor advantage. So far, the killing of at least four garment wage protesters on Friday by military police has not grabbed international headlines as dramatically as the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. But the potential exists for a larger global outcry as security forces appear to be growing less inhibited about using deadly force. At a minim

In 2013, garment - textile and leather - footwear companies enjoyed good business, had stable workforce, and attained relatively high export growth to major markets despite slowing or even declining imports of apparels and footwear in these markets. In addition, many businesses actively grasped the opportunity to expand to new markets in countries like South Korea, Turkey, African nations and the Middle East, while maintaining shipments to traditional markets like Russia, Eastern Europe, USA, Ja

Taiwan’s An Shen Company has decided to invest in a US$40 million leather shoe factory in Dong Thap province’s Tran Quoc Toan Industrial Zone. This is a joint venture project between Vietnam’s Tien Hung Company and An Shen to be built on an area of 7ha. The US$10 million first phase will build workshops and recruit around 3,000 local workers by the end of 2014. The factory hopes for an annual production of around 9 million products by 2016, employing 9,000 workers. An Shen Representa

China’s currency appreciation and its shift towards value-added garments may prompt retailers to locate in Bangladesh. China’s shift towards manufacturing higher-end garments – combined with the recent appreciation of the yuan – could make Bangladesh an even more attractive option for garment buyers, experts say. But recent political turbulence could ruin those dreams. “If major retailers are not sure we can honor orders, it will be an opportunity missed,” says Mustafizur Rahman, execut

The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association has asked the government to import cotton seeds from China instead of India due to uncertain situation at borders. The PCGA chairman Mukhtar Baloch said that the continuous tension between Pakistan and India had been affecting the business environment at a large scale. He said the cotton crop had been passing through a critical situation due to unavailability of germinated seeds at the right time. Mukhtar Baloch said that the future of cotton might be

Introduction of new taxes in total disregard to the living standards has made it difficult for the poor to buy even second-hand or used garments to brave extreme weather conditions in the winter season. The prices of sweaters and jackets, which were earlier between Rs100 and Rs200, are now being sold between Rs200 and Rs400, depending on the quality of the material. Similarly, shoes, which were earlier sold between Rs50 and Rs200, are being sold between Rs150 and Rs500. “The government has

Global buyers of Bangladesh readymade garment products are mulling to shift their work orders to factories located in Chittagong from Dhaka as the factories in the port city enjoy less disruption in transportation of their products to the port for shipment amid general strikes and blockades. Some international buyers have already expressed their interest to place orders with the factories located in Chittagong instead of Dhaka and its adjacent areas, factory owners of Chittagong told New Age

Cambodian soldiers stand guard in front of a factory in Phnom Penh on Jan 4, 2014. A clutch of popular global clothing and accessories brand names have sent an open letter to Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen and his Cabinet expressing "deep concern'' over the violence of last week, when troops fired at rioting garment industry workers killing five and injuring more than 30. -- PHOTO: AFP A clutch of popular global clothing and accessories brand names have sent an open letter to Cambodian p

Vietnam's footwear export hit a record high of $8.3 billion in 2013, up 15.2 percent year-on-year, said Vietnam's General Statistics Office (GSO) on Tuesday. Vietnam's turnover for footwear export was 3.75 percent higher than the set target of $8 billion for 2013, said the office. In December alone, Vietnam earned 880 million US dollars from selling footwear products to overseas markets, up 18.92 percent- year-on-year, said the GSO. Statistics by Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag As