The value added of manufacturing went up by 6.6 per cent YoY in the period, a release from National Bureau of Statistics of China said. 

China’s economy got off to a promising start in the first two months this year, with the total value added of industrial enterprises above the designated size growing by 6.3 per cent YoY.
The value added of manufacturing rose by 6.6 per cent YoY.
The retail sales of clothes, shoes, hats and textiles went up by 10.4 per cent YoY, while the total value of foreign trade in goods was up by 18.3 per cent YoY.

The value added of state-owned enterprises increased by 4.2 per cent YoY during the period, while shareholding enterprises recorded a 6.9 per cent YoY rise. Enterprises funded by foreign investors, including those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, grew by 4 per cent YoY, whereas private enterprises posted the highest growth of 7.4 per cent YoY.

In February, the total value added of industrial enterprises above the designated size went up by 0.83 per cent month on month (MoM).

The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index stood at 49 per cent in the same month and the production and operation expectation index was 53.2 per cent—0.6 pp higher than that in January.

In January-February 2026, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 8,607.9 billion yuan—up by 2.8 per cent YoY—1.9 pps faster than that in last December.

The retail sales of clothes, shoes, hats and textiles went up by 10.4 per cent YoY in the two months.

In February, the total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 0.81 per cent MoM.

In the first two months this year, the online retail sales of goods were worth 2,081.2 billion yuan ($312.18 billion)—up by 10.3 per cent YoY and accounting for 24.2 per cent of the total retail sales of consumer goods.

In the first two months this year, the total value of foreign trade in goods was 7,732.1 billion yuan—up by 18.3 per cent YoY—13.4 pps faster than that in December 2025. The value of exports was 4,617.8 billion yuan—up by 19.2 per cent and the value of imports was 3,114.3 billion yuan—up by 17.1 per cent YoY.

Imports and exports with Belt and Road partner countries grew by 20 per cent YoY during the two months, while the same by private enterprises went up by 22.8 per cent YoY during the two months.

The country’s consumer price index (CPI) in January-February 2026 went up by 0.8 per cent YoY. It increased by 0.2 per cent YoY in January and by 1.3 per cent YoY in February.

The CPI went up MoM by 0.2 per cent in January and 1 percent in February.

In the first two months, the producer prices for industrial products went down by 1.2 per cent YoY. In January, these went down by 1.4 per cent YoY and went up by 0.4 per cent MoM. In February, these decreased by 0.9 per cent YoY and rose by 0.4 per cent MoM.

In the first two months, the purchasing prices for industrial producers dropped by 1.1 per cent YoY.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Founded to represent and promote the interests of Azerbaijan’s textile and apparel industry, ATA plays a key role in sector development, policy dialogue, capacity building, and international cooperation. By joining ITMF, ATA reinforces its commitment to fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and global competitiveness within the national textile ecosystem.

The Azerbaijan Textile Association has joined the International Textile Manufacturers Federation, marking a step towards deeper global integration for the country’s textile sector.
The membership provides access to global industry data, networking platforms, and best practices, supporting export growth, while strengthening Azerbaijan’s presence within the international textile value chain.

ITMF members are responsible for approximately 90 per cent of global textile and apparel production and represent the entire textile manufacturing value chain. Through its membership, ATA and its member companies gain access to a unique global platform for information exchange, dialogue, and industry networking.

Mr. Christian Schindler, Director General of ITMF, stated: “Welcoming the Azerbaijan Textile Association as a new Member Association further strengthens ITMF’s global network. Azerbaijan’s textile sector has significant development potential, and ATA’s participation in ITMF will contribute to deeper international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and integration into the global textile value chain.”

Through ITMF membership, ATA members will benefit from exclusive access to global statistics, reports, surveys, webinars, and industry insights. In addition, ITMF conferences, workshops, and networking events provide valuable opportunities for Azerbaijani textile companies to expand their international partnerships, enhance export potential, and adapt best global practices.

Ms. Farida Akhundova, Executive Director of ATA, stated: “Joining ITMF marks an important milestone for Azerbaijan’s textile industry. It is a strategic step toward deeper integration into global markets and the adoption of international standards and innovations. ITMF membership opens new opportunities for our member companies to strengthen their competitiveness, expand exports, and build long-term international partnerships.”

This membership represents a significant achievement for Azerbaijan’s textile sector and reflects ATA’s strategic vision to position the country as an increasingly competitive and reliable partner in global textile trade.

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 (SG)

Countries that share land borders with India are China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan and Bhutan.

India has eased its FDI norms, while keeping a close tab on the ownership structures of investing entities, especially from China and countries that share a land border with India.
Such entities holding up to 10 per cent non-controlling stakes under the ‘automatic route’, or without government approval, are allowed to invest, subject to sectoral caps, but receiving firms will have to report details.

Entities from such countries holding up to 10 per cent non-controlling stakes under the ‘automatic route’, or without government approval, are allowed to invest, subject to sectoral caps, but companies receiving the investment will have to report details to the industry department, according to DPIIT’s Press Note 2 (2026).

However, government approval for inbound investment will also be needed if an Indian company with existing foreign investment goes through transfer of ownership in the future and the new beneficial owner is from a land border country, including China.

‘Beneficial owner’ has also been defined as an entity that controls the investment in line with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Modifications were made in Press Note 3 (2020) introduced to prevent opportunistic takeovers of Indian companies during the pandemic. The note then said an investor from a land border country could go only through the government approval route.

The changes will come into effect from the date of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) notification.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)