On September 7, 2005, Member States endorsed the outcome of the negotiations with China in Beijing on 4-5 September, as reflected in the Agreed Minutes of 5 September, and the Textiles Committee gave its positive opinion to a draft Commission Regulation destined to implement the Agreed Minutes and to unblock as a matter of urgency the goods shipped from 13 July in excess of the agreed levels set out in the 11 June Memorandum of Understanding (the MoU). The Commission is taking all necessary step

EU states backed a plan on Wednesday to free up blocked Chinese textile imports but Denmark slammed the deal as out of touch with modern trade, a sign of how deep divisions remain over Europe's response to Asian competition. Reuters reported. European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson -- who has been buffeted by the rival interests of Europe's textile producers and retailers -- praised the "solidarity" of member states and said he expected the goods would begin to be released next week. Tens of

US apparel imports from China in categories embargoed since July have now virtually ground to halt, according to latest data. Shipments received in August were mainly down from July but remain above the monthly average for 2005. Imports of wool products are going up. Industry associations are continuing to react and pushing for further safeguard measures. Latest data from the US Department of Commerce reveal a virtual standstill of imports into the US of Chinese apparel in categories embargoed

Reports by industrialists show that in the second quarter of 2005 there was acceleration in the rate of industrial output and in the extent of sales to the domestic market. This was accompanied by a continued slow expansion of the number of workers in industry. As against this, a slowdown was registered in the rate of export shipments, accompanied by a slight slowdown in the rate of investments in fixed assets. Companies with manufacturing activities abroad report a slowdown in the rate of growt

Peter Mandelson must be a relieved man, after all!What after all the jetlag, and rounds of negotiations, not only with China but putting it across to dissenting members of the European community for unblocking Chinese textiles that jammed sea ports of member countries.Now, its matter of days that some 80 million Chinese jumpers, trousers and other textiles will reach retailers, some of whom had already sought alternate sources for replenishing vanishing stocks.China will definitely celebrate thi

In view of the growing cotton output worldwide, specially from India, Pakistan and China, besides plummeting prices, Australian cotton growers have started piling up stock for prices to go up.Already, the above countries have forecast above average to bumper cotton output. Leading cotton agency for India has announced that the country's output will go up from 18 million bales to 21 million bales, this year.Cotton markets in Pakistan have also been witnessing subdued prices even as fresh stocks h

As a second round of negotiations failed to reach a US/China comprehensive agreement on textile and apparel imports, the US government is continuing to consider and approve petitions to limit imports using the safeguard mechanism China agreed to as a condition or its admission to the World Trade Organization. On August 31, the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) added two more product categories ?brassieres and man-made filament fabric ?to the list of some 30 product ca

The 4th China International Expo on Equipment Manufacture was open in Wulihe Stadium in Shenyang. Wu Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, sent a letter of congratulations to the Expo. Bai Lichen, Vice-chairman of 10th CPPCC National Committee, declared open of the Expo, Bo Xilai, Minister of Commerce, gave a speech to the Expo. Wu Yi said in her letter that to hold China International Expo on Equipment Manufacture was an important

During the past eight months, Vietnam? textile and garment export turnover grew by 0.7 percent against the same period last year to reach only US$3 billion, meeting 58.3 percent of the yearly plan, says the Vietnam Textile& Garment Corporation (VINATEX).According to economic experts, this year? textile and garment export turnover may hit only US$4.8 billion, compared to the set target of US$5.8 billion.The slight increases in export turnover that are far behind the set target have been attri

Officials from the 25 EU governments met Tuesday in Brussels to consider a deal with China to unblock some 77 million garments held up at European borders after Chinese textile imports broke through 2005 quota limits. They will meet again Wednesday to approve the deal but the final word to release the goods will not come until early next week. The EU's 25 member states need to back the deal before the clothing can go on sale in European stores. EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Chinese C