The following is a round-up of apparel and footwear news from the world’s local media.
- South Korea’s trade minister has said the government will revamp its policy on free economic zones (FEZs) to attract more investors as the special areas have failed to offer enough incentives to attract local and foreign companies. The country has designated eight FEZs across the country since 2003, with a total of 2,189 companies doing business there with 96,000 employees. YONHAP NEWS AGENCY
- Chinese textile company Jiangsu Dongqun Investment Holding Group has expressed interest in investing US$100m to build a textile factory in Indonesia, according to the country’s Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto. The interest was officially registered during a meeting between the minister and the group’s management. Hartarto offered several options for location, including the Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java. THE JAKARTA POST
- The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese textile company Marubeni to turn around the fortunes of Zambia’s Mulungushi Textiles. It will also set the groundwork for the country to buy equipment from Japan to revamp the plant. The IDC expects to access financing to support the running of the Mulungushi Textiles project. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
- Japanese-owned Myanmar garment factory Sakura is refusing to rehire workers striking over new daily production requirements, which it says are nearly impossible to meet. In August, the Yangon Region Arbitration Council ordered the factory to rehire 316 striking workers with compensation for time spent protesting. Factory owners, however, are appealing the decision to a higher council. MYANMAR TIMES
just-style has not checked these stories so cannot guarantee their accuracy.
