Supporters and opponents of the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) are digging in their heels as the Bush administration presses for ratification of the agreement before the August congressional recess. And a badly divided textile and apparel industry is caught right smack in the middle as are its supporters in Congress.Reps. Howard Coble, R-N.C. and John Spratt, D-S.C., who serve as co-chairmen of the Congressional Textile Caucus, called a special meeting of the

The growing importance of Russia and the Middle East as major markets for UK fashion and accessories was highlighted at last week's presentation in London of the 2004 UK Fashion Export Awards, with Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood and Janet Reger among the winners."Russia looks set to become the third largest non-EU market for EU apparel, after the USA and Japan and UK companies in particular are really making their mark," says the Awards' guest speaker, Charles Hecker, associate director and general

In order to promote textiles industry, the Government has been recommended to offer more incentives in the forth coming budget, Textile Minister Mustaq Ali Cheema said.He announced this at the meeting of the Federal Board of Textiles saying that a comprehensive proposal has been submitted to the Prime Minister for approval from the cabinet.The meeting was attended by Federal secretary for textile ministry, Syed Masood Alam Rizvi besides representatives of concerned ministries and industry captai

Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile today encouraged Australian exporters of all sizes to enter the 2005 Australian Export Awards at the official launch in Sydney."The Australian Export Awards recognizes excellence in exporting and promote the sector's highest achievers as role models for our business community. The diversity of last year's winners is a testament to the strength and broad-based nature of the Australian exporting sector," Mr Vaile said. "These winners inspire and energies other

Wool prices were in sharp decline in Australia this week, reflecting weakness in demand. Due to quality concerns, fine wool prices more significantly fell while a rise in the Australian dollar was far from boosting sales. Wool prices sharply declined this week in Australia with the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) down 13 Australian cents or 1.8% to 727 cents. Prices were unchanged in Fremantle, on average. The low level of wool on offer (53,792 bales) in only two trading days did not support

Beijing decided on Monday to remove export tariffs on 81 lines of products after US and EU reimposed quotas on apparel imports from China. Export tariffs will still be applied on 68 other lines but they will not be raised from June 1, the Ministry of Commerce announced. As a clear sign that a trade war is looming between China on one side, the United States and the European Union on the other side, Beijing Monday decided to scrap export tariffs on no less than 81 products. Tariffs will be main

Despite remarkable trade during 2003 and 2004 between Switzerland and India, it was the protectionist barriers and long winding procedures that imepede the growth in trade.There were "far too many obstacles" while treading the Indian markets with "very high" trade barriers and "heavy" bureaucracy. Calling trade barriers high as compared to ASEAN countries, it is still not easy to trade with India, according to Anne-Pascale Krauer Miller, Head of Bilateral Economic Relations (Asia/Oceania) in the

A unique fashion show was held in North Korea, organized by a South Korean apparel manufacturer.Nearly 20 South Korean actress and fashion models participated in the show and displayed clothes made by inter-Korean joint industrial complex workers, at Kaesong. More than 500 people, including government officials, businessmen and person from media were presented at the show to watch the fashion show arranged by Shinwon Co.In South Korean, Shinwon is the first company to deliver clothes made at the

SHANGHAI: The factory hasn't stopped in weeks. That's three shifts a day, seven days a week, and four weeks a month. And there doesn't appear to be an end in sight. Hundreds of workers at Shaoxing Sunshine Garment Co in Shaoxing, a city in East China's Zhejiang Province, are putting in overtime, working their fingers to the bone. But the busy humming of the machines is anything but music to managers' ears. The flurry of activity is nothing more than a desperate attempt to beat the likely dea

Vietnam boosted its footwear exports to the US by 30 per cent in the first four months of 2005, the Viet Nam News Agency reported. Gross exports during that period totalled $111.9 million, representing the largest turnover of all the country? main footwear markets. According to Vietnam? Ministry of Trade, the figure will continue to grow over the next few months, affected by the US? restriction of Chinese shoes and Brazil? unfavourable currency environment. Vietnam has also report