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.
- Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED) has cut the duties on imported textile materials from 35% to 20%. The duty on spare parts imported for textile sector has also been eliminated. However, MOFED has not cancelled the 10% excise duty on garment production, deciding instead to impose a sales tax when garments are distributed internally. TAX-NEWS
- The Textile, Garment & Leather Employees Union (TGLEU) of Ghana is urging the government to waive some of the taxes paid by local textile companies. TGLEU said it will begin negotiations with the government after submitting a presentation on the issue. The move follows the recent closure of two textile manufacturers who were unable to pay the taxes imposed on them. CITIFM ONLINE
- Power has been restored to textile mills in Pakistan following a nine-day suspension. The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) said millions of textile workers’ jobs were at risk because of the suspension. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Raja Pervez Ashraf, said a stable textile industry was a top priority for the government, which would ensure energy is supplied to the mills. BUSINESS RECORDER
- Ho Chi Minh City is set to become Vietnam’s “centre of fashion design” in the next 20 years, according to plans proposed by the country’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. Ho Chi Minh City will need to invest VND33tn (US$1.58bn) to open design centers and fashion showrooms, while manufacturing will be gradually relocated to other provinces. THANH NIEN NEWS
- India’s apparel industry could treble its shipments within three years if it is allowed to use 15% of the export turnover generated to import raw materials that are not available in the country, such as synthetic yarns and fabrics. Based on increased orders in the last two months, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said 2013 will be a good year for exports. Heads of the country’s export associations are due to meet today (7 January) to discuss the issue. THE ECONOMIC TIMES