Apparel Sourcing Intelligence - Worldwide

4th July 2013

US import growth returns to normal in May

US apparel imports, measured in square metre equivalents, were 7.7% up on 2012 in May, bringing growth for the year to date to 6.8%, as individual exporters’ growth settled down...

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2nd July 2013

A small point – but still worth making

The only self-styled “workers’ representatives” to support America’s suspension for Bangladesh of some little-used  import duty concessions are American. In supporting this withdrawal, they have taken positions completely contrary to...

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28th June 2013

Bangladesh GSP: It IS an empty gesture

America’s decision to suspend Bangladesh’s Generalised System of Preference GSP concessions was supposed to be coming “with some kind of roadmap to enable the restoration of suspended trade privileges if...

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28th June 2013

Would suspending Bangladesh’s US duty concessions be yet another pointless gesture?

The US will announce that it will suspend Bangladesh’s minimal import duty concessions, news agencies reported on June 27. Quoting highly-placed US congressional sources the agencies said the Democrats have...

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28th June 2013

Do US Senators go to special “foot in mouth” school?

On May 16, eight American Democrat Senators urged twelve retailers “to reconsider your decision not to sign the [Bangladesh safety] Accord”. Just two days AFTER three of those retailers had been...

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25th June 2013

Governments publicly press buyers as trade concessions stay under review

Though governments and legislators on both sides of the Atlantic pressurised buyers and the Bangladesh government to take more effective action against unsafe working in Bangladesh, their scope for action...

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25th June 2013

US legislators push for garments sold on US bases to meet AFBSB standards

The US House of Representatives voted on June 14 for garments made in Bangladesh and sold at stores on US military bases to be sourced from factories that complying  with...

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18th June 2013

Governments publicly press buyers as trade concessions stay under review

Though governments and legislators on both sides of the Atlantic pressurised buyers and the Bangladesh government to take more effective action against unsafe working in Bangladesh, their scope for action...

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18th June 2013

US legislators push for garments sold on US bases to meet AFBSB standards

The US House of Representatives voted on June 14 for garments made in Bangladesh and sold at stores on US military bases to be sourced from factories that complying with...

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8th June 2013

Pakistani commentator claims US duty concessions for Pakistan will be good for South Asian peace

A US commentator believes that "neither U.S. producers nor consumers would be hurt by" the US offering duty-free access for Pakistani imports. America couod throw in duty free access for...

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8th June 2013

Trade Rules

The Clothesource Guide to Apparel Trade Rules is the definitive account of the rules relating to cross-border apparel trading Updated twice a year, it summarises the rules in easy to...

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5th June 2013

Labour rights group calls for ban on US cotton imports from Uzbekistan

The International Labour Rights Forum (ILRF), filed a petition on May 15 with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to exclude cotton yarn and fabric manufactured "wholly or in part"...

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