Euro-zone annual inflation was 2.2% in December 20051, down from 2.3% in November. A year earlier the rate was 2.4%. Monthly inflation was 0.3% in December. EU252 annual inflation was 2.1% in December 2005, down from 2.2% in November. A year earlier the rate was 2.4%. Monthly inflation was 0.3% in December. EICP3 annual inflation was 2.1% in December 2005.These figures come from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.Inflation in the Member States4In December 2005, the lowe

Cotton prices are steady at KCA with the spot rate Rs2475 per maund.Total arrivals of cotton bales as on January 15, 2006 are 11,660,748, in which Punjab has a large share of 9,249,916 and from Sindh it was 2,410,832.From the total arrivals, exporters from Punjab purchased 11,100 bales and Sindh exporters purchased 51,900.Mill oweners of Punjab purchased 7,218,272 and of Sindh purchased 1,739,468 bales of cotton.Total unsold stocks of bales stood at 2,640,008 as on January 15, 2006.Around 1600 b

The Turkish textile industry has seen a slow down its activities as the cheaper labor force and energy costs in China and India, along with high value of New Turkish Lira (YTL) negatively impact the local market. One of the premier firms in the Turkish city of Bursa, Sonmez Textile withdrew from the sector, and the Akkok Group stopped its manufacturing activity at Yalova Akal Textile. Head of the Turkish Textile Industry Employers Syndicate, Halit Narin assessed the recent situation of texti

With the United States and European Union holding fast to tariffs on mainland textiles and clothing until the end of 2008, Hong Kong has a "golden opportunity" to redevelop its local industry and boost employment, the government's top labor chief told lawmakers. Matthew Cheung, permanent secretary for economic development and labor, Thursday presented a proposal before the Legislative Council that he said will encourage Hong Kong-based manufacturers to relocate operations from the mainland bac

As Chinese textile and apparel imports have been restricted, US production seems to be increased in 2005 for the first time in ten years, according to a data. Before quotas era, US textile and apparel industries have been struggling for decades. The industry has lost more than 650,000 jobs since 1994. Data revealed that US textile production is down 33.8 percent from its height in December 1997. Apparel prices have plunged 10.5 percent since the end of 1997, as cheap imports have replac

Garment export increased by 20 percent last year, and it is expected that increase would be around 40 to 50 percent in the next year, according to a leading manufacturer and exporter of fabric and garment. China leads in denim garments and it can provide garments at 50 percent less price and at a higher volume than India, but they can not provide quality, he said. Even though India leads in shirting and dress material, Sunil Gandhi, President of Gujarat Manufacturer? Association and a lead

New York's Cotton Futures remained at a high yesterday although many traders kept to the sidelines and preferred waiting for a rise in demand from China due shortly. There were signs of panic buying in Pakistan with ginners increasing prices. The current high trend in China came to halt with Future contracts crashing down. New York It was business as usual in New York yesterday following Monday's closure in observance of Martin Luther King day. Futures closed a fraction higher from Friday

Vietnam will become the 10th largest garment exporter in the world by 2010, local newspaper Vietnam News on Wednesday quoted a top official of the country's biggest garment producer as saying. Vietnam, which was ranked the 16th out of 153 garment exporters worldwide last year, will advance in the Top Ten by 2010, predicted Le Quoc An, chairman of the management board of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex). The country reaped textile and garment export revenues of mor

India is looking into the UK proposal for India-EU free trade agreement,said Commerce Minister Kamal Nath. At a meeting with UK Trade Minister Ian Pearson, he said India was open to all the ideas that enhance its trade engagement. Nath also talked about the recognition of Indian medical, accountancy and law degrees in UK. On multilateral trade talks, both ministers highlighted the need for maintaining momentum gained at the Hong Kong WTO ministerial in negotiations to complete the Doha

Long known as Asia's shopping center for global brand names and luxury goods, Hong Kong now is promoting its own designers and trying to sell local brands to the world. On Tuesday, it launched a duet fashion exhibitions, Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2006 and World Boutique, Hong Kong 2006, aimed at facilitating regional garments trades and establishing local brand names. "Hong Kong is not only one of the world's largest exporters of clothing and clothing accessories, but also t