Cheap, quick and dependable, Indian yarn, many feel, contributed significantly in turning Bangladesh into a sourcing hub for the world’s biggest fashion brands. But what once looked like a win-win arrangement is now threatening to unravel and at the heart of the current storm is a proposal to slap a ** per cent safeguard duty on yarn imports from India, ostensibly to protect Bangladesh’s domestic spinning mills, which seem to has snowballed into a major bone of contention between the stakeholders, if recent media reports are to be believed, which claimed the garment manufacturers and the textile mill owners took a contrary position on the issue.

Spinning mill owners argue that they are being squeezed to the wall by Indian competitors who, they claim, enjoy generous government incentives at home and therefore export yarn into Bangladesh at prices local producers simply cannot match. The result, they say, is declining sales, mounting losses and, in some cases, shuttered mills. From their perspective, the safeguard duty is not protectionism but survival. Without some kind of barrier, they argue, Bangladesh risks hollowing out a key segment of its industrial base.

Burberry has unveiled its new Gabardine Capsule, celebrating 170 years of the British luxury house. The capsule honours the revolutionary fabric, Gabardine, invented in 1879 by Thomas Burberry, whose weather-resistant properties have defined the brand’s outerwear heritage for nearly 150 years. Worn by explorers and everyday adventurers alike, gabardine remains central to Burberry’s identity.

Burberry has launched its Gabardine Capsule to mark 170 years, celebrating its iconic weather-resistant fabric invented by Thomas Burberry in 1879.
The range reworks parkas, bombers and quilted jackets in brushed cotton nylon gabardine, alongside knitwear and jersey layering pieces.
A heritage label inspired by a 1993 campaign highlights the brand’s countryside roots.

Reimagining signature outerwear styles, the collection features parkas, down-filled jackets, quilted silhouettes, Harringtons and bombers crafted in brushed cotton nylon gabardine. These pieces are dyed in a capsule palette of hamper beige and juniper green.

Layering pieces include chunky ribbed wool-cashmere knitwear and soft cotton melange hoodies, jogging pants and T-shirts. Many styles are detailed with gabardine panels and trench-inspired elements, such as the brand’s signature epaulettes, Burberry said in a release.

Reflecting Burberry’s enduring connection to the countryside and outdoor pursuits, the capsule introduces a specially designed label inspired by an archival 1993 campaign reading: ‘Burberrys grew out of country life.’ The label appears stitched inside coats and jackets, appliqued on jersey styles and rendered as an intarsia motif on knitwear.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)

The government in Ghana is collaborating with the private sector to set up three new garment manufacturing units, generating 27,000 direct jobs under the 24 Hour Economy Policy, Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare recently announced.

She was addressing the second edition of the Kwahu Business Forum in Mpraeso.

Ghana is collaborating with the private sector to set up three new garment units, generating 27,000 direct jobs under the 24 Hour Economy Policy.
The facilities will be located in the Central, Bono East and Eastern regions, with each factory expected to operate 24 hours to maximise productivity.
Each unit can employ 3,000 workers per shift.
Contracts have been secured to ensure demand-driven production.

She termed the decision as part of President John Dramani Mahama’s rapid industrialisation strategy to boost domestic manufacturing and create employment opportunities.

The facilities will be located in the Central, Bono East and Eastern regions, with each factory expected to operate 24 hours to maximise productivity. Each unit can employ 3,000 workers per shift.

Contracts have already been secured to ensure demand-driven production, Ofosu-Adjare was cited as saying by domestic media outlets.

The government is also finalising key policies for the garment and textiles sector, awaiting approval from the Minister of Finance.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)