The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for South Gujarat drew investment commitments worth ₹3.53 lakh crore (~$37.12 billion), with 2,792 MoUs (memorandums of understanding) signed over the two-day event, the state government said in an official release on Saturday. Held at Auro University in Surat, the conference concluded on May 2 and is expected to generate around 2.82 lakh direct employment opportunities in South Gujarat over the next three years, across key sectors such as textiles, garments, chemicals and manufacturing.

The 2,792 projects span sectors such as textiles and apparel, industrial and logistics parks, power (including oil, gas and renewable energy), skill development and transport, among others.

The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in South Gujarat drew ₹3.53 lakh crore (~$37.12 billion) in investment commitments with 2,792 MoUs signed.
Projects span textiles, logistics, power and manufacturing, and may generate 2.82 lakh jobs.
The government also plans to promote garment units in tribal areas, creating over 25,000 work-from-home jobs for women.

The government also emphasised efforts to promote non-polluting industries and garment units in tribal districts like Dang, Tapi, Valsad and Navsari, with over 25,000 women expected to benefit from work-from-home employment opportunities.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Chemicals and Fertilisers, JP Nadda at the valedictory session said that the recent global developments highlight the need to reduce strategic dependencies and strengthen supply chains. He noted that global uncertainties should be leveraged as opportunities, with greater focus on boosting manufacturing through regional initiatives.

Highlighting South Gujarat’s strengths, Nadda said the region has emerged as a global hub, from Surat’s diamond and textile industries to the chemical and fertiliser clusters in Bharuch, Dahej and Ankleshwar. He added that linking garment manufacturing with textiles and tribal regions is opening new avenues for development, marking a significant step forward for the region and the state.

He further stated that the conference has laid a strong foundation for South Gujarat’s economic growth, positioning it for a major leap ahead.

Commending Gujarat’s economic contribution, Nadda said the state accounts for about 8 per cent of India’s GDP, 17 per cent of manufacturing output, 27 per cent of merchandise exports and 40 per cent of total cargo handling.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)

American manufacturer of apparel and footwear Columbia Sportswear Company has raised its full-year 2026 (FY26) outlook, even as first-quarter (Q1) performance reflected pressure from tariffs and weaker US demand.

The company expects FY26 net sales of $3.43-3.5 billion, representing growth of 1 to 3 per cent. Gross margin guidance has been improved to 50.3-50.5 per cent, while operating income is projected at $230-262 million, with operating margin of 6.7 to 7.5 per cent. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) are forecast at $3.55-4, supported in part by temporary tariff relief.

Columbia Sportswear Company has raised its FY26 outlook, projecting $3.43-3.5 billion in sales and EPS of $3.55-4, aided by tariff relief.
Q1 sales were flat at $779 million, with profit declining due to US weakness and tariffs.
International growth remained strong.
The company expects wholesale recovery in H2.
Q2 sales are seen at $600-610 million, with a wider operating loss anticipated.

“We are updating our earnings guidance for 2026, based in part on a temporary improvement in US tariff rates,” said Tim Boyle, chairman and CEO.

He added that the company expects an inflection back to wholesale growth in the second half, supported by its Fall 2026 order book, noting that the ‘Engineered for Whatever’ campaign and product innovation are driving traction for its ACCELERATE Growth Strategy.

Q1 performance hit by US weakness, tariff pressures

Meanwhile, in the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2026, net sales were largely flat at $779 million, down 3 per cent. International growth was offset by a US decline due to a weaker Spring 2026 wholesale order book and reduced inventory.

Operating income fell 10 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to $42 million, while operating margin declined to 5.4 per cent from 6 per cent. Net income dropped to $34.3 million, with EPS at $0.65 versus $0.75 last year. Gross margin contracted 20 basis points to 50.7 per cent due to tariff impact, the company said in a press release.

Boyle said the company still exceeded internal expectations, driven by early spring shipments and stronger demand in Europe and the US, with international markets leading growth. He added that the US slowdown was anticipated due to prior inventory and tariff-related decisions.

Columbia Sportswear ended Q1 with $535.4 million in cash and no debt.

Q2 outlook signals near-term pressure

For the second quarter (Q2), net sales are expected at $600-610 million, broadly flat YoY. The company anticipates an operating loss of 4.5 to 5.5 per cent of net sales, compared to 3.9 per cent last year, while diluted loss per share is projected at $0.37-0.46, based on an effective tax rate of around 20 per cent.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

India has aligned the schedules of the Revised Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme with the amended customs tariff structure. This move is expected to streamline export processes and improve the business environment. The changes come into effect from May 1, 2026.

The Department of Commerce has notified the revisions through a Notification dated April 30, 2026.

India has aligned RoDTEP schedules with the amended customs tariff structure, effective May 1, 2026.
The revision updates Appendix 4R and 4RE, impacting 194 tariff lines with additions, deletions and modifications.
It aims to ensure seamless system integration, reduce classification ambiguity and improve export processing.
The move ensures continuity in duty remission benefits.

The update revises Appendix 4R, which applies to Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) exports, and Appendix 4RE, which covers exports under Advance Authorisation (AA), Export Oriented Units (EOU), and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units. These changes align with amendments introduced in the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, through the Finance Act, 2026.

The notification primarily focuses on technical alignment between RoDTEP tariff lines and the revised customs tariff structure. A total of 194 tariff lines has been impacted, including the addition of 142 new 8-digit tariff lines, deletion of 50 lines, and modification of descriptions for two tariff lines.

Officials stated that the revised schedules will enable seamless implementation of RoDTEP benefits within the Customs Automated System starting May 1. The alignment is expected to reduce ambiguity in classification, ensure consistency across tariff frameworks, and facilitate smoother processing of export claims.

The government emphasised that the measure is RoDTEP-specific and aimed at enhancing ease of doing business. By minimising system-level discrepancies and ensuring continuity in duty remission, the initiative is expected to support exporters and maintain efficiency in trade operations.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)