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.

  • Vietnam’s prime minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to provide 30 tons of free cotton seeds to farmers in the central and central highlands provinces in a move to expand the national cotton cultivation area serving garment production to 76,000 hectares by 2020 current 8,671 hectares. The move is set to benefit farmers in the provinces of Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan. The move is part of the country’s aims to become the world’s second largest cotton exporter over the next 20 years. VIETNAMESE NEWS BRIEF SERVICE
  • Bangladesh apparel exporters have started preparing a formal application for a specialised bank after receiving a go-ahead from the Prime Minister’s office. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said it is looking to establish a bank to provide loans to apparel makers at lower interest rates. The Prime Minister’s office has directed it to submit a formal application to the ministry of finance. THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS
  • A number of Romanian producer groups have joined together to establish a textile cluster. Cluster member, The Vranceea Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture, said that the partners will work together to improve dialogue with local public authorities, create a stable business environment as well as run events like fairs, exhibitions, forums and courses. ROMPRES
  • Authorities in the Vietnamese province of Dong Nai have promised to impose a stricter fine on the Sonadezi service for discharging untreated wastewater into the Dong Nai river. It was caught dumping millions of cubic metres of untreated sewage into the river. Some 80% of the sewage came from dyeing and textile production. VIETNAMESE NEWS BRIEF SERVICE
  • Vietnam’s capital Hanoi has set up an industry park for plant to produce auxiliary products for the manufacturing, engineering, garment, textile, footwear, electronics, auto production and assembly sectors. Construction of the 600 hectare Hanoi Southern Supporting Industry Park is under way with some 60 hectares currently ready for use. Once fully operational the park is expected to lure some 200 investors and create 30,000 jobs. Investors in the park will gain additional support in their operations with financial arrangements, labour recruitment, employee training, technology exchange, output linkage and orientation. VIETNAMESE NEWS BRIEF SERVICE