The following is a round-up of apparel and footwear news from the world’s local media.
- The Indian Cotton Federation (ICF) is calling for the government to form a Cotton Board. In his address to the 37th Annual General Meeting of ICF, president J Thulasidharan said that considering the fluctuation and volatility in cotton prices, due to artificial shortage, the government should take steps to make it obligatory for every ginning and pressing factory to provide reliable statistics. FINANCIAL EXPRESS
- The Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) has joined forces with the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) to research a gene discovered by the NBRI that it believes could prevent the whitefly pest affecting cotton crops in Punjab. It could, however, take around ten years to fully develop the gene. THE TIMES OF INDIA
- The families of the victims of a fatal clothing factory fire in Pakistan have demanded the US$5.15m compensation be disbursed “at once” instead of in instalments, to avert any possible complications. The demand was made during a general body meeting of the fire affectees at Pakistan Medical Association auditorium. Around 260 people were burnt to death in the Ali Enterprises garment factory fire, dubbed Baldia factory, on 12 September 2012. THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE
- A gas shortage has drastically cut production in Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector, especially in the export-industry hubs in Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur and Konabari areas around the capital. According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), knitting, dyeing, washing, spinning and textile units are facing a severe gas crisis which is hampering production in many units that manufacture finished products. The BGMEA added that if the situation is not improved, they fear a “good number” of garment factories will face closure. THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS
- Three workers were killed and two others injured during a chemical tank accident at Indigo Textile Mill, in Pakistan, last week. The accident occurred when an iron wall, bifurcating a tank which the employees were cleaning, fell, allowing the chemical to flow in to the empty section where the labourers were working. The injured parties were fetched unconscious from the chemical tank and taken to a private hospital. A police inquiry is pending. THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE
just-style has not checked these stories so cannot guarantee their accuracy.
