Fashion
India, Canada strengthen economic partnership
The ministers reaffirmed the strength and continuity of the India–Canada economic partnership and reiterated their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation through sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and forward-looking initiatives.
India and Canada reaffirmed their strong and resilient economic partnership during the 7th ministerial dialogue on trade and investment, highlighting robust 2024 bilateral trade of $23.66 billion and growing two-way investments.
The ministers committed to deeper cooperation in critical minerals, clean energy, aerospace, and supply chain resilience.
The ministers noted robust growth in bilateral trade in goods and services which reached $23.66 billion in 2024, with merchandise trade valued at nearly $8.98 billion, a substantial 10 per cent increase over the previous year. The ministers reaffirmed the strength and resilience of the India–Canada economic partnership and emphasised the importance of continued engagement with the private sector to unlock new opportunities for trade and investment. They welcomed the steady expansion of two-way investment flows, including notable Canadian institutional investment in India and the growing presence of Indian firms in Canada, which together support tens of thousands of jobs in both economies. The ministers committed to maintaining an open, transparent, and predictable investment environment and to exploring avenues for deeper collaboration across priority and emerging sectors.
The ministers also noted strong complementarities between India and Canada across strategic sectors driving sustainable growth and innovation and offering new opportunities for trade. Recognising that these areas would require separate domain-level engagement between relevant stakeholders on both sides, the ministers agreed to encourage long-term supply chain partnerships in critical minerals and clean energy collaboration essential for energy transition, and new-age industrial expansion. They have also agreed to identify and expand investment and trading opportunities in aerospace and dual-use capabilities partnerships, leveraging Canada’s established presence in India and the growth of India’s aviation sector, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a press release.
Recognising the importance of supply chain resilience the ministers exchanged views on global developments and reflected on lessons from recent disruptions. They underscored the relevance of strengthening resilience in critical sectors, including agriculture, and highlighted the need for diversified and reliable supply chains as essential for supporting long-term economic stability.
The ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made in strengthening bilateral economic engagement and reaffirmed their shared commitment to elevate the economic partnership to reflect global developments and evolving supply chain and trade dynamics. They emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum in the bilateral dialogue and supporting people-to-people ties, which provide a strong foundation for the partnership.
The ministers agreed to sustained ministerial engagements with the trade and investment community in both Canada and India early next year. They agreed to remain in close communication as they consider next steps and concluded by acknowledging the constructive and forward-looking discussions held in New Delhi.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Fashion
Switzerland’s Rieter orders steady at $907 mn amid cautious market
The components division generated CHF 193.5 million (~$249.6 million) in orders amid cautious investment in new machinery, while the After Sales division posted a 6 per cent increase to CHF 163.6 million, supported by expanded service networks and stronger activity in Central Asia and China.
Rieter has reported stable 2025 order intake of CHF 703.4 million (~$907.4 million) despite market uncertainty, while sales fell 20 per cent to CHF 685.1 million (~$883.8 million).
Cost controls delivered positive operating EBIT, but Barmag-related charges led to a net loss.
The Barmag acquisition expands fibre capabilities.
For 2026, Rieter projects CHF 1.3-1.5 billion ($1.68-1.94 billion) sales.
Group sales declined 20 per cent YoY to CHF 685.1 million (~$883.8 million) from CHF 859.1 million, reflecting subdued market demand. Sales in Machines and Systems dropped 23 per cent to CHF 329.1 million, Components fell 19 per cent to CHF 200.8 million, and After Sales decreased 17 per cent to CHF 155.2 million. Order backlog stood at around CHF 510 million at the end of 2025, Rieter said in a press release.
Despite weaker sales, Rieter achieved a positive operating EBIT of CHF 2.5 million through cost control measures. However, restructuring expenses and transaction costs related to the Barmag acquisition, totalling CHF 54.2 million, resulted in a net loss of CHF 63.4 million for the year compared with a net profit of CHF 10.4 million in 2024. Free cash flow turned negative at CHF 40.6 million, although net liquidity improved to CHF 184.3 million following a capital increase completed in October 2025.
Given the negative earnings, the board has proposed no dividend distribution while reaffirming its long-term policy of paying at least 40 per cent of net profit. The equity ratio strengthened to 53.3 per cent at the end of 2025, reflecting the capital raise linked to the acquisition.
Rieter completed the acquisition of Barmag on February 2, 2026, integrating the business as its new Man-Made Fiber Division. The move expands the company’s capabilities beyond short-staple fibre machinery, positioning it as a system supplier across natural and man-made fibre processing and strengthening technological capabilities in automation and digitisation.
The company expects at least CHF 20 million in synergies from the acquisition and has outlined new medium-term scenarios. Depending on market conditions, annual sales could range from CHF 1.4 billion with 2-5 per cent operating margins in a subdued environment to CHF 2.2 billion with margins of 8-11 per cent under strong demand.
For 2026, which Rieter described as a transition year, the group forecasts sales between CHF 1.3 billion and CHF 1.5 billion ($1.68-1.94 billion) and a positive operating EBIT margin of 0-3 per cent as integration and restructuring initiatives progress. Financing for the combined entity’s development is fully secured.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
China’s sock exports at $6.7 bn, volume rises amid price sensitivity
According to *fashion.com/market-intelligence/texpro-textile-and-apparel/” target=”_blank”>sourcing intelligence tool TexPro, export volumes reached **.*** billion pairs in ****, up from **.*** billion pairs in **** and **.*** billion pairs in ****. This steady rise in shipments highlights China’s scale advantage and strong manufacturing ecosystem, enabling suppliers to push higher volumes into international markets even amid softer demand conditions and heightened price sensitivity among buyers.
Average export prices continued their downward trajectory, declining to $*.** per pair in **** from $*.** in ****, $*.** in **** and $*.** in ****. The sustained erosion in unit values suggests a combination of factors, including aggressive pricing competition, a shift towards lower-priced product mixes, and buyer efforts to optimise sourcing costs in an uncertain global consumption environment.
Fashion
Texwin Spinning showcasing premium cotton yarn range at VIATT 2026
At the exhibition, Texwin Spinning is showcasing its comprehensive range of cotton yarns, including combed compact yarn (Ne 16’s to 40’s) for weaving and knitting applications, carded compact yarn (Ne 16’s to 40’s), and high-performance components such as comber, flat and lickerin. The company manufactures its products using high-grade raw cotton in a fully automated facility, ensuring superior quality, strength, uniformity and consistency across textile processes.
“VIATT provides an excellent platform to connect with international buyers and industry stakeholders. We look forward to presenting our premium cotton yarn portfolio and strengthening our presence in the ASEAN and global markets,” Bhagya Chikani of Texwin Spinning told Fibre2Fashion.
Texwin Spinning Pvt Ltd is exhibiting at the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) 2026 which is being held in Ho Chi Minh City from February 26-28.
The company is showcasing its premium combed and carded compact cotton yarns (Ne 16’s-40’s) along with textile components, aiming to expand its footprint across ASEAN and global markets.
Positioned as ASEAN’s most comprehensive textile trade platform, VIATT covers the entire textile value chain, bringing together global stakeholders from apparel fabrics and fashion to home textiles, technical textiles and advanced manufacturing technologies. With a strong emphasis on innovation, digitalisation and sustainability through initiatives such as ‘Econogy’, the fair serves as a strategic business hub for the region’s textile and garment industry.
Established in 2021, Texwin Spinning Pvt Ltd is a Gujarat-based manufacturer of premium-quality cotton yarn. Headquartered in Rajkot, the company serves both domestic and export markets and is guided by “Quality Is Our Motto.” Through a strong commitment to quality standards, customer satisfaction and continuous growth, Texwin Spinning continues to strengthen its brand presence in the competitive textile industry.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)
-
Tech1 week agoA $10K Bounty Awaits Anyone Who Can Hack Ring Cameras to Stop Sharing Data With Amazon
-
Fashion7 days agoICE cotton ticks higher on crude oil rally
-
Business7 days agoUS Top Court Blocks Trump’s Tariff Orders: Does It Mean Zero Duties For Indian Goods?
-
Tech1 week agoDonald Trump Jr.’s Private DC Club Has Mysterious Ties to an Ex-Cop With a Controversial Past
-
Business6 days agoEye-popping rise in one year: Betting on just gold and silver for long-term wealth creation? Think again! – The Times of India
-
Sports6 days agoKansas’ Darryn Peterson misses most of 2nd half with cramping
-
Fashion7 days agoIndia’s $28 bn reset: How 5 trade deals will reprice its T&A exports
-
Entertainment6 days agoViral monkey Punch makes IKEA toy global sensation: Here’s what it costs
