The following is a round-up of apparel and footwear news from the world’s local media.
- A World Trade Organization dispute panel has ruled against Colombia in a case brought by Panama to challenge its tariff on textiles, clothes and shoes. Panama claimed the tariffs, which consisted of a fixed 10% and a variable component, breached the maximum allowable 35-40% tariff on those products. Colombia has 60 days to appeal. REUTERS
- Pou Chen Corp, the world’s largest contract shoemaker, is moving a large section of its operations from China to Vietnam. The company, which supplies to products to Nike, Adidas and other major brands, wants to take advantage of Vietnam’s lower labour costs and more favourable tariffs. BIZ HUB
- The Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA) is urging the government to extend the financial benefits the country’s textile sector receives, such as revised financing rates, to the footwear sector. It says the footwear industry is “suffering” due to a “long overdue hold up of refunds in the form of duty drawbacks, sales tax and income tax refunds”. DAILY TIMES
- Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is considering plans to provide additional incentives to the country’s garment and footwear sector in a bid to prevent further job losses. Such incentives could include a 50% reduction in income tax for companies employing up to 5,000 workers and exporting 75% of its products. JAKARTA GLOBE
- The surge in imports of man-made fibre yarns in Pakistan’s domestic market is affecting the local textile industry, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has said. Competitors such as China and India are producing MMF yarns and fabrics with comparatively lower energy costs, the organisation noted, while Pakistan is facing the highest energy cost in the region. DAILY TIMES
just-style has not checked these stories so cannot guarantee their accuracy.
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