May, 16-31, 2016

At the launch of the World Bank and ICRIER report, ‘Stitches to Riches: Apparel Employment, Trade, and Economic Development in South Asia’, a thought-provoking discussion platform was created where after a very long time top bureaucrats, and ‘think tanks’ of the garment export industry exchanged ideas on the global apparel business scenario… Under discussion were the opportunities for South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the backdrop of the changing conditions in China. There was also a panel discussion on, ‘Apparel Job Creation, Trade and Development in India’. Apparel Online presents some interesting discussion at the event… With a total turnover of Rs. 150 crore (US $ 23 million) and being one of the largest knitted fabric manufacturers in India – producing over 600 tonnes of fabric, Tajinder Sachdeva, Managing Director of Mercury Fabrics shares his journey of success in a one on one with Team AO. The company, supplying fabrics to many leading fashion labels of the world, including H&M, C&A, and M&S, is targeting for 27% growth this year. You may also read industry stalwarts’ view on the recent developments on EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund) issue which has taken many perspective angles…, and is covered in detail in our Topic of Debate – the ‘Mind Tree’ column. Besides the above, our regular columns of Fashion Trends, Industry Wire, Industry Live, Resource Centre, Export Statistics, etc. make the issue worth reading.