As pressure grows to decarbonise and modernise, countries face a dual challenge: reducing emissions while maintaining efficiency and competitiveness.

UNCTAD and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore have launched a partnership to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable, resilient and inclusive global maritime transport.
Both sides will promote cleaner fuels and digital technologies across ports and shipping networks.
A key pillar is support, including training, advisory services and institutional strengthening, for developing nations.

Singapore’s role as one of the world’s most connected and efficient ports positions it as a key partner in testing and scaling innovations, said UNCTAD, which complements this with global reach, policy expertise and on-the-ground support to developing countries.

Under the agreement, the partners will promote cleaner fuels and digital technologies across ports and shipping networks.

Efforts will focus on solutions that can be adapted to different national contexts, alongside knowledge-sharing in sustainable finance, digital innovation and workforce development—key enablers of a successful transition.

“This partnership brings together Singapore’s operational excellence and UNCTAD’s global development expertise,” said Pedro Manuel Moreno, acting secretary general of UNCTAD, in a release.

“It will help accelerate a maritime transition that is not only greener and more efficient, but also resilient and inclusive—while contributing to global discussions at the UN Global Supply Chain Forum 2026,” he added.

A central pillar of the initiative is support, including training, advisory services and institutional strengthening, for developing countries.

Building on UNCTAD’s long-standing work with port communities, the partnership will help improve performance, strengthen connectivity and enhance preparedness for disruptions.

The initiative will also feed into preparations for the UN Global Supply Chain Forum taking place in late 2026, where global stakeholders will address the future of trade logistics and resilience.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Such industrial units can transfer gas load allocated under the captive power category to the industrial category within the same premises and ownership. But gas load from the industrial power category cannot be transferred to captive use.

Bangladesh’s power, energy and mineral resources division has simplified the industrial gas distribution system, allowing factories within the same premises and ownership to transfer unused gas load with approval from the relevant gas company.
The aim is to improve service amid rising demand.
Industrial units can rearrange or replace gas equipment keeping the approved hourly load unchanged.

Industrial units can rearrange or replace gas equipment keeping the approved hourly load unchanged, according to a circular by the division.

Commissioning work must be carried out by contractors enlisted with the relevant gas company, while no permission from the gas distribution company will be required, the circular noted.

The aim is to improve service amid rising demand.

Textile mills lauded the move, saying the reforms would enhance productivity, reduce cost and streamline operations, particularly for energy-intensive textile and garment sectors, according to domestic media reports.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

“These significant tariff increases cannot be absorbed by US brands and retailers, as margins are already tight and leave little room to offset such dramatic cost increases. As a result, these added costs would be passed on to consumers, hurting the affordability of clothes and shoes for American families,” Beth Hughes, AAFA vice president for trade and customs policy, wrote in a letter to the ITC.

US trade body AAFA has urged the International Trade Commission not to revoke the permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status granted to China as that would result in higher tariffs borne by US companies.
Higher tariffs on Chinese imports would constrain US firms’ ability to invest in innovation, expand operations and support US job growth, and would risk closing off commercial opportunities in China.

“At the same time, higher tariffs on Chinese imports would constrain US companies’ ability to invest in innovation, expand operations and support American job growth,’ he noted.

AAFA in its letter said that US manufacturers rely on Chinese raw materials and inputs to produce finished goods under ‘Made in USA’ initiatives. Certain textiles are only available from China at the scale required, with no viable alternatives available now.

China remains the largest supplier for the US apparel, footwear and travel goods industry, accounting for 27.26 per cent of apparel imports, 47.83 per cent of footwear imports and 36.62 per cent of travel goods imports in 2025.

“Revoking China PNTR would result in higher tariffs borne by US companies significantly raising costs, reducing Americans’ ability to purchase affordable clothing, footwear and travel goods, while straining limited US and global manufacturing capacity that cannot readily replace these imports and provoking potential retaliatory measures that could further harm US companies,” the letter read.

Many small businesses and employers may not be in a position to absorb those costs, it observed.

While these additionally costs might ultimately be manageable—by being passed along over time or addressed through other mitigation measures, including alternative sourcing—those measures take time and also involve costs, it said.

An entire class of companies would be eliminated by the existential nature of such high tariff costs.

China’s pattern of retaliation suggests that any US move to revoke PNTR would likely be met with swift and proportional countermeasures, the letter noted.

As China a major market for American goods, the loss of PNTR would not only raise prices and disrupt supply chains, but also risk closing off commercial opportunities in China, it added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)