Fashion
Sri Lanka’s central bank keeps overnight policy rate unchanged
The bank had trimmed its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points in May to support growth.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka recently kept its overnight policy rate unchanged at 7.75 per cent considering both global and domestic developments.
GDP grew by an annual 4.8 per cent in H1 2025, and inflation may hit its 5-per cent target by mid-2026.
The 2025 GDP growth target is 4.5 per cent.
Core inflation is also expected to pick up, and stabilise thereafter around the headline inflation target.
A statement by the bank said that gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by an annual 4.8 per cent in the first half (H1) this year, with inflation expected to hit its target of 5 per cent by mid-2026.
Reflecting strengthening domestic demand, core inflation is also expected to pick up, and stabilise thereafter around the headline inflation target. Medium term inflation expectations remain anchored around the inflation target, the statement said.
The country is targeting 4.5 per cent GDP growth this year.
The bank’s monetary policy board feels the current monetary policy stance will support steering inflation towards the target of 5 per cent.
Headline inflation based on the Colombo consumer price index (CCPI) turned positive in August this year, ending eleven months of deflation.
A delegation of the International Monetary Fund will be in Colombo soon to conduct another round of review.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fashion
Vietnam targets GDP growth of at least 10% in 2026
The Ministry of Finance is giving the final touches to a draft resolution that lays out an initial road map to achieve these numbers.
Vietnam’s National Assembly recently approved several socio-economic targets for next year that include GDP growth of at least 10 per cent, GDP per capita of $5,400-$5,500, a rise in consumer price index of around 4.5 per cent and labour productivity gains of 8.5 per cent.
Exports are expected to rise by about 8 per cent in 2026, while retail sales of goods and services are targeted to rise by 11 per cent.
Total social investment is projected at nearly 4.93 quadrillion VND ($189 billion)—up by 18.7 per cent year on year (YoY) and equivalent to 33-33.7 per cent of GDP.
Exports are expected to rise by about 8 per cent in 2026, delivering a trade surplus of around $28 billion, while retail sales of goods and services are targeted to rise by 11 per cent, with a stretch target of 12 per cent.
Industrial hubs like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Da Nang and Dong Nai are also chasing double-digit gains.
Less affluent provinces like Son La, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Vinh Long, Dong Thap and Ca Mau are also targeting 8-per cent or better regional GDP growth, a domestic news agency reported.
The National Assembly has outlined 11 key task groups and solutions. The government has instructed relevant agencies to break these down into concrete, actionable plans under the resolution.
Core focuses include accelerating institutional reforms for greater transparency, consistency and equity in investment and business rules to unlock productive forces and pool resources; advancing a new growth model and economic restructuring; and ensuring timely delivery of strategic and critical infrastructure projects.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fashion
China’s electricity demand remains robust in November
Power use rose 6.2 per cent year on year (YoY) to 835.6 billion kilowatt-hours in November. Electricity consumption in the secondary industry increased by 4.4 per cent, reflecting stable industrial activity.
China’s electricity consumption grew steadily in November, indicating resilient economic activity, as per official data.
Power use rose 6.2 per cent YoY to 835.6 billion kilowatt-hours, with secondary industry consumption up 4.4 per cent.
Residential demand increased 9.8 per cent.
In the first eleven months, total electricity consumption climbed 5.2 per cent YoY to about 9.46 trillion kilowatt-hours.
Residential electricity uses also remained robust, rising 9.8 per cent to 105.7 billion kilowatt-hours during the month, as per Chinese media reports.
In the first eleven months of the year, China’s total electricity consumption grew 5.2 per cent YoY to approximately 9.46 trillion kilowatt-hours, pointing to sustained demand despite broader economic challenges.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
Climate change may hit RMG export earnings of 4 nations by 2030: Study
This translates to a 22-per cent reduction in export earnings versus a climate-adaptive scenario.
The apparel industries in Vietnam, Cambodia, Pakistan and Bangladesh may lose up to $65.8 billion in export earnings by 2030 and create a million fewer jobs due to the impact of climate changes if they make no efforts to manage heat stress and higher flooding, a study revealed.
Under the no-adaptation scenario, estimates for export earnings by 2050 are 68.8 per cent lower than in the adaptation scenario.
The estimates for 2050 are even worse. With the compounding effect of slower growth under the no-adaptation scenario, estimates for export earnings are 68.8 per cent lower than in the adaptation scenario.
The analysis also predicts that in these four countries, the employment levels in a no-adaptation scenario would be 8.64 million lower in 2050 than in the adaptative scenario.
The International Labour Organization’s Better Work team offered inputs for the study.
Extreme weather is already disrupting production, delaying orders and threatening workers’ health and incomes. As heat waves and floods become more severe and frequent, worker health, productivity, job creation, and earnings are increasingly at risk, Better Work said in a release.
Despite these challenges, there is reason for optimism. Action is under way across the apparel sector. Governments are introducing and enforcing new standards on workplace heat, ventilation, rest breaks, and access to water.
Global brands are adopting voluntary standards to better manage extreme heat and flooding risks across their supply chains. Manufacturers are training workers to identify and respond to heat stress and related illnesses.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
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