It is unfair to blame China for job losses in the US textile and apparel industry and the two countries should work together to find a solution, head of a leading US textile importers' association has said. Chinese products represent only 17 percent of the US textile and apparel market. Therefore, it is unfair to blame China for job losses there, Laura Jones, executive director of the US Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA), told Xinhua in a recent interview. Only an es

China is likely to face scarcity of cotton in the year 2005 and 2006, as it is anticipated that the shortage of cotton will be of nearly 3.2 million tons.Executive Vice Chairman of the China Cotton Association, Shi Jianwei informed that the China has to face shortage in cotton, as the total area of China's cotton land has been cut-off by 10 percent over the 2004-2005.The total cotton production is expected to be nearly 5.76 million tons, where as the country's market requirement for cotton will

China said that it hopes the second round of talks over the textile trade row with the United States could begin as soon as possible. Zhao Hong, assistant representative of the Trade Negotiation Office under the Ministry of Commerce, said in an interview, China's largest news website, that the two sideshad briefed each other on their preliminary stances on the clothing trade issue in the first round of technical talks which began last Friday. The United States imposed limits on imports of seven

Bangladeshi garment and textile players appealed the Government to impose import duty on ready-made garments and to smoothen the process of loan on easy term to enhance textile and garment industries.They also urged to eliminate duty-free access of raw materials and machineries that is utilized in the industry to set up local garments industry within the city.President of Bangladesh Grey and Finished Fabrics Mills and Exporters Association (BGFFMEA), Harun-ur-Rashid informed that the illegal imp

Negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between China and Pakistan are expected to move forward during Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the South Asian neighbour. Premier Wen's trip to Pakistan, the first stop in an eight-day tour of four countries in the region, is expected to see the signing of a number of economic and trade agreements. Among them is an Early Harvest Programme, which would see tariff-free trade in a number of goods, paving the way towards an FTA between the two countries. A

India will grant more concessions to Sri Lanka in the apparel and clothing sector under the existing bilateral free trade agreement. New Delhi has agreed to remove the present annual cap of 1.5 million pieces of clothing per category in the sector. India has also agreed to grant 100 per cent duty concessions on six million pieces of apparel and clothing items permitted to be imported from Sri Lanka as per the tariff quota agreed to between the two countries. Tariff concession on the six millio

China International Silk Fair (hereinafter referred to as Silk Fair) has been successfully held for 5 years since 2000. It has shown great importance in impelling the exchanges of China? silk industry with other nations, promoting the improvement of silk grades and expanding the consumption of silk products. Therefore, in order to further promote and enhance communication and cooperation between China and other nations, 2005 China International Silk Fair will be held from October 20 to October 2

The news of delayed monsoon turning to extend the dry weather across India cutting the cotton output helped peg up cotton prices at the New York Board of Trade exchange.The New York Board of Trade Cotton futures trading for December delivery shot up 1.15 cents, or 2.2 percent, to 52.49 cents a pound. This is said to be the highest close since May 13. As per the terms of futures trading, the futures contract binds buyer and a seller to buy or sell cotton at a set price under a specified date. It?

Switzerland based agricultural organization announced that the half of the cotton crops may come from GM.More than half the world's cotton may be grown from genetically modified crops within two years as farmers in India and Brazil embrace the technology that promises to raise incomes and boost output, Rabobank Groep said.Increased usage of Monsanto Co.'s Bollgard II and other gene- altered varieties may propel the proportion of cotton grown from biotech crops to more than 50 percent by 2006-07

Local textiles and clothing manufacturers should look to higher-end markets, focus on fashion design, develop brands, set up regional distribution networks and seek to establish a foothold in the Mainland's fashion market under CEPA to maintain competitiveness, Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang says. Replying to Wong Ting-kwong's query in the Legislative Council, Mr Tsang said the removal of quota restrictions on textiles and clothing products since January this year h