India recently sought consultations with Indonesia under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) safeguard agreement over the latter’s proposal to impose import duty on cotton fabric.

India wrote to WTO saying it has substantial trade interest in the export of this fabric. India exported cotton fabrics worth $8.73 million in 2024 and $6.73 million in 2023.

India has sought consultations with Indonesia under the WTO safeguard agreement over the latter’s proposal to impose import duty on cotton fabric.
India wrote to WTO saying it has substantial trade interest in the export of this fabric.
“India would like to propose that consultations… take place virtually on September 23 to 26, 2025 or on a mutually convenient date and time,” it said.

“India would like to propose that consultations… take place virtually on September 23 to September 26, 2025, or on a mutually convenient date and time,” it said.

The WTO Committee on Safeguards circulated to its members a September 16 notification by Indonesia concerning finding of serious injury or threat thereof to the domestic industries producing cotton fabric and a notification of proposed safeguard measure in the form of specific duty against the import of such goods.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Artistic Milliners, a global leader in denim innovation, today announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Cone Denim from Elevate Textiles. The new multi-national company will operate under the historic Cone Denim name. Artistic Milliners’ Pakistan operations and business will continue to operate independently. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Cone Denim will offer fully vertical, end-to-end solutions – ranging from premium denim fabric to expertly finished garments. “We are committed to bringing the full breadth of our expertise to help unlock Cone’s competitive strengths. Cone Denim will preserve its unique identity while continuing to drive its own business strategy. Our goal is to collaborate closely with the Cone Denim team, building on the legacy and achievements of more than 130 years,” said Murtaza Ahmed and Omer Ahmed of Artistic Milliners in a joint statement.

Artistic Milliners has acquired a majority stake in Cone Denim from Elevate Textiles, forming a new multinational under the Cone Denim name.
Cone will run mills in Mexico, China, and the US, plus Artistic’s facilities in Mexico and LA.
Led by Cone president Steve Maggard, the entity will offer end-to-end denim solutions, global reach, and expansion plans, including into North Africa.

The new entity will operate a global platform spanning both hemispheres and will be comprised of a combination of selected assets from each organization. Cone Denim will now operate its existing mills in Parras and Yecapixtla, Mexico and its facility in Jiaxing, China; as well as Artistic Milliners’ recently inaugurated garment facility in Parras, Mexico; and its Star Fades International (SFI) laundry and development center in Los Angeles.

The Ahmeds continued: “Cone Denim’s distinctive position as the iconic American manufacturer joins Artistic Milliners’ global portfolio, creating an international organization that leverages our collective infrastructure and expertise to offer customers unparalleled service and flexibility. Our multinational manufacturing locations will offer speed, scale and surety of supply.”

Cone Denim will continue to operate as a standalone portfolio company under Artistic Milliners. Steve Maggard, President of Cone Denim, will lead the new entity, reporting to the Board of Directors, which includes Omer Ahmed, Murtaza Ahmed, and Jeffrey P. Pritchett alongside to-be-determined directors.

Pritchett, CEO and member of the Board of Directors, Elevate Textiles added, “We are excited to unite two global denim leaders with shared values furthering the Cone Denim name and legacy. Cone Denim and Artistic Milliners both possess long-standing textile heritage and are recognized worldwide for their commitment to innovation, traceability, and sustainability. They are both well respected, responsible, and ethical manufacturers. As the new Cone Denim, we are able to better leverage synergies across our brands, operations, and global footprint including the return of Cone Denim production capabilities in the US and expansion into new global regions.”

Cone Denim and Artistic Milliners customers will continue to interact with their existing product and sales representatives and can anticipate the same high standard of service, delivery, and quality to be upheld.

“We remain committed to providing enhanced fabric variety, design innovation, and comprehensive garment services to our customers — this includes our planned expansion into North Africa,” Maggard added.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)

The sector accounted for **.** per cent of Pakistan’s total exports of $**.*** billion during the year, slightly higher than its **.** per cent share in fiscal ****–**, underlining its dominant role in the country’s export basket.

By category, knitwear exports grew **.** per cent year-on-year to $*,***.** million, while non-knit ready-made garment (RMG) exports increased **.** per cent to $*,***.** million, boosted by diversification into higher-value apparel products.