State-owned Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) and the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL), the special-purpose vehicle for rail freight corridors, recently signed an agreement to refinance ₹10,000 crore (~$1.11 billion) of World Bank foreign-currency loans.

DFCCIL had availed of the loans for the ₹51,000-crore (~$5.68 billion), 1,337-kilometre-long Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) from Punjab to Bihar.

The Indian Railway Finance Corporation and the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) have signed an agreement to refinance $1.11 billion of World Bank foreign-currency loans.
DFCCIL had availed of the loans for the $5.68-billion, 1,337-kilometre-long Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor from Punjab to Bihar.
The government is expected to save $300.65 million in the process.

“This first-of-its-kind refinancing arrangement, structured in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Railways, DFCCIL, IRFC, and the World Bank, is expected to result in savings of ₹2,700 crore [~$300.65 million] for the government of India,” DFCCIL said in a social media post.

“This transaction marks a significant milestone in lndia’s infrastructure financing landscape, underscoring the growing depth, maturity and capability of Indian financial institutions to support large-scale, long gestation critical infrastructure projects through domestic funding solutions,” an IRFC release said.

The refinancing covers existing IBRD loans. By shifting from foreign currency debt to rupee-denominated financing, DFCCIL will benefit from reduced exposure to exchange rate volatility, enhanced predictability in debt servicing, and closer alignment of long-term liabilities with its rupee-based revenue streams, thereby improving overall cash flow management, the release noted.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

There is a strong demand in Sweden for clothing produced in a more sustainable way—especially clothing that avoids the most harmful production practices—consumers are generally unwilling to pay extra for garments that meet the very highest sustainability standards, as per a new study from the University of Gothenburg.

More than 1,700 respondents participated in the study, choosing between T-shirts with different levels of working conditions, health protection and environmental impact. Health risks linked to chemicals in clothing were ranked as the most important factor, followed by working conditions and, lastly, environmental impacts.

A study of over 1,700 Swedish consumers found strong support for avoiding poor clothing production practices, especially health risks from chemicals.
Consumers were willing to pay 60–85 SEK (~$5.50–~$8.00) more per T-shirt to avoid the worst standards, but few would pay extra for top sustainability levels.
Results support clearer EU labelling and targeted premium markets.

On average, consumers were willing to pay an additional 60–85 SEK (~$5.50–~$8.00) per T-shirt to avoid the poorest production standards. In contrast, willingness to pay for reaching the highest sustainability levels was low.

“There is a substantial willingness to pay to avoid the worst alternatives and to reach regulatory minimum standards, but relatively few consumers are willing to pay for further improvements,” said Daniel Slunge, researcher at the University of Gothenburg and co-author of the study.

The study was conducted both with consumers purchasing clothing for themselves and with parents purchasing clothing for their children. The pattern was similar across both groups.

The findings provide important insights for the ongoing development of the European Union’s Ecodesign Regulation, which will introduce more comprehensive product labelling and traceability requirements.

“Our results indicate that producers could cover a significant share of the cost increases associated with making their products more sustainable, if these improvements are clearly communicated to consumers,” said Anders Boman, co-author of the study. “While most consumers are not willing to pay beyond regulatory standards, there are consumer groups who prefer and are willing to pay for higher levels of sustainability. These groups may form an important target market for premium-certified products.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)

India’s leading sourcing and manufacturing solutions platform PDS Limited has received the Gold Award for World Leadership in Ready-Made Garments from India at the Export Awards organised by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). The award recognises PDS’ sustained contribution to global apparel exports and its leadership role in positioning India as a key sourcing hub.

The honour was presented to group chairman Deepak Seth and Payel Seth by the Vice President of India, C P Radhakrishnan, at the AEPC Export Awards ceremony. The recognition highlights Dr. Seth’s visionary leadership and the collective capabilities of the PDS Platform, PDS Limited said in a LinkedIn post.

PDS Limited has been awarded the Gold Award for World Leadership in RMG from India at the AEPC Export Awards, recognising its leadership in global apparel exports.
Presented by the Vice President of India to chairman Deepak Seth and Payel Seth, the honour underscores PDS’ commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability, and its role in reinforcing India’s position as a major apparel sourcing hub.

Instituted by AEPC, the Export Awards celebrate apparel exporters that demonstrate excellence in quality, innovation, sustainability, and global impact. These values are central to PDS’ operating model, which integrates design, sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics to serve leading international fashion brands and retailers.

“We share this recognition with every partner, customer, and colleague who continues to shape India’s leadership on the global apparel stage,” the company said in the post.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)