Cost of planting seeds has almost tripled for cotton growers around the world from four cents to produce one kilogram of lint in 1990s to 11 cents in 2012-13, according to a survey conducted by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). It reveals that cotton growers around the world spent an average of 11 cents on planting seed to produce a kilogram of lint in 2012-13, representing seven percent of the net cost of production. (Net costs are total costs, excluding land rent and the valu

Sri Lanka and India today inked an MOU to Cooperate in the Development of SMEs in Handloom, Powerloom and Textiles. The MOU which was inked in Colombo will be valid for a period of five years and can be renewed thereafter. “Using Sri Lanka’s first class garment manufacturing infrastructure and India’s quality fabric outputs-let us jointly compete for China’s textile market” said Ms Zohra Chaterji, Secretary of Indian Ministry of Textiles, after signing the deal. “Sri Lanka offers fast deliver

The garment exporting community has sought a roll-back in the price of the cotton yarn to last month’s price. Voicing concern over the rising price of the yarn, garment exporters have appealed to the mill sector to consider a reduction of Rs 8 a kg. Besides appealing to the mill sector, various stakeholders of the garment industry sought to represent their plight to the powers-that-be as well, seeking immediate intervention. The associations categorically stated that they do not have any obje

Pakistan’s textile exports, which rose during the last five years despite a worsening energy crisis, stood at $13.1 billion in the fiscal year 2012-2013. PHOTO: AFP Pakistan’s textile industry, which for a long time has been the backbone of the national economy in terms of revenue generation and job creation, is working hard to benefit from the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which will allow for greater access to markets in the European Union (EU). Industrialists are expecti

A cotton ginning unit, constructed with Indian aid, was inaugurated in Ngabu in Malawi, a landlocked country in southeast Africa that exports raw cotton. Malawi President Joyce Banda inaugurated the ginnery at Ngabu, that cost $20 million, on Aug 27. It was part of the $50 million Line of Credit granted by India to Malawi that has a population of about 16 million. The event was attended by Indian High Commissioner Vanlalhuma. Among other dignitaries present were Malawi Vice President Khumbo Ka

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić has visited company "BIM-tex" in Leskovac, in southern Serbia, and has put into operation a newly-built cotton string production plant, worth 1.4 million euros. He visited the factory in the company of the management and local officials. "BIM-tex" is one of the leading companies in the Serbian market in the field of production of various types of yarn, with an annual capacity exceeding 1,000 tons. The company was founded in 1992 and employs 100 workers.

Under the Pakistan Firms Project, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the knitted garment sector in making exports to the international markets. Under the project, a group of 20 SMEs have been selected, and these are being helped in building up their production bases to ensure that international quality and environmental standards are met. Two of the 20 SMEs have recently exported US$ 3.3 million worth of knitwear,

Destination XL Group, the leading retailer of men's XL apparel, has opened two new Destination XL stores in Tennessee. The first is located at The Gallery at Rivergate, 2021 Gallatin Pike North in Madison, TN and the second is located at 7922 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN. The DXL store is a new one-stop-shop that caters to the fashion needs of bigger guys. The most important factors for men who shop XL sizes are access to a merchandise selection ranging from current trends to their favorite c

As part of its ongoing womenswear reappraisal, Marks & Spencer has unveiled new womenswear departments in its stores and announced that all 10,000 of its womenswear employees have completed its Fashion Camp training. Designed to showcase the latest Autumn/Winter collections, the new look and feel for M&S womenswear will offer customers improved navigation and more inspiration leading to an enhanced shopping experience. To support the in store changes and help deliver M&S’s refo

Fast Retailing Co announces that group company J Brand Japan Co will launch its first retail location in Japan on October 9. Approximately twenty square meters (6.5 Japanese tsubo), the store is located on the fourth floor women's section of the prestigious Osaka Hankyu Umeda Main Store. The design of the new store is based on a clean and modern aesthetic, and it offers a wide range of the brand's stylish and sophisticated apparel, with a focus on denim. Beginning from this base, J Brand envi