The following is a round-up of apparel and footwear news from the world’s local media.

  • A number of Chinese companies have expressed interest in relocating their textile, garment and accessory production units to Punjab, according to the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA). The body’s central chairman, Ijaz Khokhar, made the comments at the 18th International Textile Asia Exhibition, and said the expected investment would be at least US$25m for each unit. The exhibition also saw MoUs worth $375m for investment in Pakistan through joint ventures with local companies. THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE
  • In order to supplement farmers’ income through value-added products, the Maharashtra government is planning to set up nine textile parks in the northern cotton-growing regions of the Indian state. Using the example of the textile park in Amravati, which has 30 operational units, Subhash Rajaram Desai, industries minister of Maharashtra, said: “This is helping many small and medium industries to flourish. In a similar way we can support farming and industry.” He added that value addition – from produce to fibre to fabric to fashion – will help farmers get a good price for cotton. ECONOMIC TIMES
  • Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is seeking government concessions to import labour from regional economies, such as Nepal and Bangladesh, to tackle a shortage of skilled labour. According to deputy minister for national policies and economic affairs, Harsha de Silva, thousands of jobs are vacant and although the sector has served Sri Lanka “reasonably well” for several decades, it will have very limited scope to move forward unless it upgrades itself to the next level by focusing on high-tech and designer apparel. DAILY NEWS
  • Indonesia is aiming to reach US$15bn in exports of textiles and textile products by 2019, according to minister of industry Airlangga Hartarto. Speaking to delegates at the annual conference of theInternational Textile Manufacturers Federation in Nusa Dua, Bali, Hartarto said the country was looking to absorb a workforce of 3.11m. THE JAKARTA POST
  • Pakistani consumers are showing preferences for ready-made garments over tailor-made garments, primarily due to the convenience RMG offers. Demand for RMG has risen 80-90% in the last decade. The shift has seen a number of textile companies – both locally and from overseas – grow their presence in the supply of ready-made clothing. THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE
  • Pakistan is to receive a new incentives package for its textile sector as part of a bid to boost tumbling exports. According to the country’s minister for commerce and textile, Pervaiz Malik, efforts are also underway to enhance Pakistan’s cotton production by focusing on cotton research in collaboration with the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association. THE NATION

just-style has not checked these stories so cannot guarantee their accuracy.