Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose sharply to 66.7 in March from 56.8 in February, signalling a strong acceleration in factory activity, according to the data issued by the Statistics Department. Growth was led by higher new orders (69.9) and production (68.8), particularly in the textile and wearing apparel sectors.

Firms also increased stock purchases to support rising output, with some resorting to precautionary inventory building amid concerns over disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said in a press release.

Sri Lanka’s manufacturing PMI surged to 66.7 in March from 56.8 in February, driven by strong gains in new orders and production, particularly in apparel.
Firms raised inventories amid Middle East-related risks.
However, supply constraints, rising costs, and logistics issues persisted, with delivery times worsening.
Employment growth slowed.
Outlook remains positive.

Despite robust demand, manufacturers reported a constrained operating environment due to raw material and fuel shortages, rising input costs, and logistical challenges. Supplier delivery times lengthened significantly to 75.5, reflecting shipping disruptions and demand pressures. Employment rose at a slower pace, indicating cautious hiring despite increased workloads.

Looking ahead, business expectations for the next quarter remain positive across sectors, supported by seasonal trends and emerging opportunities. However, concerns persist over the impact of the Middle East conflict, supply disruptions, and broader global economic uncertainty, which may weigh on future momentum.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

The United Arab Emirates and Jordan have recently reached an agreement to develop a railway network in Jordan and establish the UAE-Jordan Railway Company.

The agreement covers the construction and operation of a 360-kilometre railway linking the main mining areas of Al-Shidiya and Ghor Al-Safi to the Port of Aqaba.

The United Aran Emirates and Jordan recently an agreement to develop a railway network in Jordan and establish the UAE-Jordan Railway Company.
The agreement covers the construction and operation of a 360-kilometre railway linking the main mining areas of Al-Shidiya and Ghor Al-Safi to the Port of Aqaba.
The project aims at transporting 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash annually.

The project aims at transporting 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash annually, with a total investment value of $2.3 billion. Both phosphate and potash are chemicals used in the textile industry.

The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei and Jordan’s Minister of Transport Nidal Al-Qatamin.

The UAE-Jordan Railway Company was formally established as a joint venture between Abu Dhabi’s L’IMAD Holding Company (L’IMAD) and several Jordanian stakeholders, according to an official release in the UAE.

The joint venture will be responsible for the implementation, operation and maintenance of Jordan’s railway network through its executing arm, Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network.

The project will enhance Jordan’s export capabilities and logistics efficiency by directly linking phosphate and potash production sites to the Port of Aqaba, significantly reducing transport time and costs.

It will also support comprehensive economic development and open wide prospects for job creation across multiple sectors, leveraging the extensive expertise of Etihad Rail.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Sports company PUMA has appointed James Carnes, an experienced design, brand, and strategy leader, as its new Senior Vice President Creative Direction with immediate effect. In this newly created role, James will directly oversee creative direction, innovation, and product excellence and report directly to Chief Brand Officer (CBO) Maria Valdes.

With more than two decades of experience in the sports industry, James brings a unique combination of skills, which will help PUMA use creative direction as an important strategic lever to establish itself as a top-3 global sports brand.

Puma has appointed James Carnes as senior vice president creative direction.
Reporting to Maria Valdes, he will oversee creative direction, innovation, and product excellence.
With over two decades of experience, including leadership roles at Adidas, he will align design strategy with business goals to strengthen Puma’s global brand appeal and market position.

“James is a very highly regarded leader in our industry and he has been instrumental in shaping some of the most influential performance and lifestyle products, labels, and platforms,“ said Maria Valdes. “With a strong background in industrial design and a deep understanding of both athletes and consumers, he will play an important role in getting our customers and consumers excited about PUMA once again.”

Until 2021, James held several leadership positions in design, creative direction and strategy at adidas, both in Herzogenaurach and Portland, Oregon. Most recently he worked as an independent consultant and investor in the wider industry.

At PUMA, James will align creative direction with the company’s overall strategic ambitions, set the seasonal direction for the Business Units and create a long-term look and feel for the brand across consumer touch points.

“Creative Direction is about more than seasonal trends and colours. It is about defining how PUMA holistically presents itself in the market, harnessing the company’s portfolio of world class innovation, and deeply connecting with consumers,” said James Carnes. “We have the amazing opportunity to modernize the image and style of one of the most iconic sports brands in the world and I look forward to leading our teams and collaborating with my colleagues to make this happen.”

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 (RM)