The following is a round-up of apparel and footwear news from the world’s local media. just-style has not checked these stories so cannot guarantee their accuracy.

  • Textile and apparel exports from Malaysia could increase 20% through the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement, according to the Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association. The trade pact would eliminate duties on Malaysian textiles and garments. Textile and apparel contribute MYR9.5bn (US$3bn) to the country’s total exports. BERNAMA
  • Textile workers and business owners in Kenya have urged the government to tax cheap imports from China and second-hand goods from other countries because they are “flooding” the market. Some clothing firms in Nairobi are having to buy garments from Turkey after consumers complained about the poor quality of Chinese products. Kenya imports more than 30,000 containers of clothes annually, the African Cotton and Textile Industries Federation said. ALL AFRICA
  • A fire at a footwear manufacturing factory at the Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) in Bangladesh may have originated from an electric short circuit, which spread to chemicals stored on the ground floor. However no injuries were reported during the blaze at Pappela Shoe Ltd last week. Around 150,000 pairs of shoes were destroyed in the fire. THE DAILY STAR
  • Indian textiles group Alok Industries has put its UK retail chain Store Twenty One on the block as part of efforts to focus on its better performing divisions. Alok, which acquired the chain five years ago, said the sale will help the company cut its debt. Analysts, however, said although the plan is good, it will be difficult to execute in the challenging market conditions. THE TIMES OF INDIA
  • A fire which broke out in the warehouse of a textile mill in Karachi, Pakistan has destroyed items worth millions of rupees. The cause of the fire, which started on the second floor of Mahtab Enterprises warehouse, was a short circuit. The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and Sui Southern Gas Company disconnected supplies immediately. THE INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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