Fashion
APAC CEOs positive about domestic growth, doubt global growth: KPMG
In 2023, 73 per cent of APAC CEOs were optimistic about global economic prospects; however, it was down to 64 per cent in 2025. Globally, only 68 per cent of CEOs remain upbeat about this—the lowest level seen in four years.
APAC CEOs reported much more optimism in 2025 about the growth prospects of their own economies over the next three years, while confidence in global economic prospects dropped, KPMG said.
Optimism about their own country’s prospects was the highest in Australia and lowest in India last year.
About four-fifths of APAC CEOs also saw substantial growth opportunities for their organisations and industries.
Optimism about their own country’s prospects was the highest in Australia (90 per cent) and lowest in India (71 per cent) last year, a KPMG release said citing its latest annual ‘APAC CEO Outlook’.
The declining confidence of APAC CEOs in the global landscape also reflects ongoing uncertainty and volatility that has plagued the global markets, stemming from an evolving geopolitical landscape, persistent supply chain constraints and intensifying scrutiny on sustainability, KPMG noted.
Furthermore, about 80 per cent of APAC CEOs also saw substantial growth opportunities for their organisations and industries, in line with the global average.
In fact, in 2025, executives appear more certain that their companies are on an upward trajectory compared to the previous year: 61 per cent of respondents expect earnings to increase by more than 2.5 per cent this year, compared to just 52 per cent in 2024.
CEOs in Japan (76 per cent) are particularly optimistic about their earnings outlook compared to global and regional peers, reflecting its solid domestic demand and stable GDP performance.
This positivity is driving many in APAC to continue investing in their businesses, with executives noting that there is strong appetite for increased hiring (92 per cent) and mergers and acquisitions (87 per cent) over the next three years, and a substantial number (82 per cent) of APAC CEOs expecting to spend more than 10 per cent of their budgets on artificial intelligence (AI) in the next 12 months.
This clearly indicates that subdued global outlook has not dampened optimism around companies’ prospects in APAC, KPMG remarked.
Confidence in the growth prospects of the global economy is lowest among Chinese companies (58 per cent). This likely reflects, in part, the impacts of an uncertain tariff environment. Strained relations with its main export partner and uncertainty around global demand are likely some areas of concern among firms in China.
Global trade risks topped the minds of APAC CEOs last year, especially as geopolitical tensions and trade realignments dominated headlines. These trends have persisted in 2025, with supply chain resilience remaining a top three driver of organisational decision-making in the short term.
However, the landscape is shifting with the arrival of emerging technologies like generative AI. AI integration is the top issue driving APAC executives’ short-term decision-making, a notable contrast with global peers who are more focused on cybersecurity issues and supply chain resilience, KPMG added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The initiative aims to help Bangladesh’s garment exporters comply with the European Union’s mandatory DPP regulation, which will come into force in 2027. The agreement was signed in Dhaka by BGMEA Vice President Vidiya Amrit Khan and AWARE Founder and Managing Director Feico van der Veen.
Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector is set to adopt blockchain-based transparency and Digital Product Passport (DPP) systems ahead of the European Union’s 2027 regulations.
BGMEA and Dutch traceability platform AWARE signed an MoU to enable end-to-end traceability of fibres, yarns, and garments through blockchain-backed digital records, helping exporters strengthen compliance.
Under the partnership, BGMEA member factories will be able to generate blockchain-anchored digital records tracing garments from fibre origin to finished products. The system will provide verified information on raw material sourcing, production processes, and environmental footprint through QR-code-enabled Digital Product Passports.
The move is significant for Bangladesh’s garment industry, which depends heavily on imported fibres and yarns from countries such as China and India. Through blockchain-backed data tokens created at the fibre and yarn production stage, traceable information will move across borders along with physical shipments, enabling end-to-end supply chain visibility.
According to BGMEA, the adoption of blockchain-based traceability will help garment manufacturers improve transparency, strengthen compliance, and position Bangladesh as a reliable sourcing destination for European brands facing stricter sustainability and traceability requirements under the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
The agreement also ensures that factories retain ownership and control over all production data generated through the platform. Pilot projects involving selected spinners and garment manufacturers are expected to begin immediately to develop cross-border fibre-to-garment DPP supply chains connecting Bangladesh with European buyers.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)
The Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) fell by 10 Australian cents to 1,876 ac/kg clean during the week. The US dollar-denominated EMI also declined by 10 US cents to 1,358 USc/kg clean. The Western Market Indicator (WMI) recorded the sharpest regional correction, dropping 22 ac/kg and 19 USc/kg.
Across the offering, Merino fleece wool softened, particularly in the medium Merino segment where buyer resistance became more evident. Fine Merino wool in the 16.5–19.0-micron range generally declined by 15–20 cents, while broader medium Merino categories between 19.5 and 21.0 microns fell by 25–30 cents across most selling centres. Despite the softer tone, trading remained selective rather than broadly weak.
Australia’s wool market eased in Week 46 of May 2026, with the Eastern Market Indicator falling 10 cents to 1,876 ac/kg clean as fine and medium Merino fleece prices weakened.
However, gains in crossbred wool and carding indicators helped limit overall losses.
Buyers remained selective, favouring lower-cost fibre blends amid manufacturing margin pressure and a stronger Australian dollar.
In contrast, crossbred wool ranging from 25–32 microns extended recent gains, rising by 20–25 cents in several categories. Southern 25-micron wool increased by as much as 50 cents during the week. Carding indicators also strengthened between 5 and 18 cents depending on the region, reflecting continued demand for lower-cost processing and blending wool.
Market analysts noted that buyers were not retreating from wool overall but were becoming increasingly selective at current fine wool price levels. Mills were seen shifting towards cheaper fibre blend categories such as crossbreds and cardings while resisting expensive fine Merino purchases, amid ongoing manufacturing margin pressure and efforts to manage input costs.
The stronger Australian dollar also added pressure on exporters and offshore buyers, contributing to cautious purchasing activity during the week.
Next week’s auction roster is expected to offer 31,334 bales, with Fremantle scheduled to sell on Tuesday only, while Sydney and Melbourne will conduct sales across Tuesday and Wednesday.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)
He said the four new codes consolidated 29 labour laws into a simplified and contemporary framework.
Now that India has operationalised four new pro-worker and business friendly labour codes, the Ministry of Labour and Employment plans to come up with a comprehensive employment policy that will serve as a blueprint for employment generation, minister handling the portfolio Mansukh Mandaviya said.
“Labour and industry should complement each other and adapt to change for effective coordination,” he said.
“Labour and industry should complement each other and adapt to change for effective coordination,” he recently told the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Summit.
The government published the final rules across the four codes earlier this month, making them fully operational.
The four codes are the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. These came into effect on November 21, 2025.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Bangladesh RMG sector to adopt blockchain-based transparency & DPP
Indian magnate Adani agrees multi-million-dollar penalty in US court case
Australian wool prices slip as fine merino demand weakens
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