The target is to achieve 70 per cent of the country’s national electricity demand through renewable energy sources by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050.

Sri Lanka’s cabinet recently approved a Renewable Energy Resources Development Plan for 2025-2030, prepared by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa announced.
The target is to achieve 70 per cent of the country’s national electricity demand through renewable energy sources by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050.

This report provides the prioritisation of large-scale renewable energy development projects, and the planned projects for the upcoming periods, based on resource maps of the particular energy sources.

Potential sites of different types of renewable energy resources have been identified, and taken for prioritisation for future development based on resource potential, land use, distance to roads, slope, distance to grid substations (GSS), urban centres and exclusionary conservation areas.

Resource potential was rated as the most important criterion. Access to GSS was not considered as a criterion for wind and solar plants above 100 MW.

Fibre2Fashion (DS)

Brazil’s domestic cotton prices have strengthened in late January as buyers showed greater willingness to trade while sellers held firm on quotations. This dynamic pushed spot market deals above export parity levels, even as international cotton prices softened and the US dollar weakened against the real, , as per the Centre for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (CEPEA).

Brazil’s domestic cotton prices have firmed in late January as buyers accepted higher offers and sellers held quotations, lifting spot deals above export parity despite weaker global prices and a softer US dollar.
Liquidity stayed thin as farmers focused on cotton planting and soy harvesting.
For the month, the CEPEA/ESALQ Index eased 0.31 per cent, while FAS export parity fell 2.59 per cent.

At the same time, overall market liquidity remained subdued, as producers prioritised field activities, particularly cotton planting and soy harvesting. Trading volumes stayed thin toward the end of the month, reflecting a cautious approach from both sides of the market, the CEPEA said in its latest fortnightly report on the Brazilian cotton market.

On a monthly basis, however, prices edged slightly lower. The CEPEA/ESALQ Index (payment in eight days) slipped 0.31 per cent between December 30 and January 30, closing at BRL 3.4754 per pound.

Export parity values declined more sharply, with Free Alongside Ship (FAS) prices falling 2.59 per cent between January 19–26 to BRL 3.3872/pound ($0.6414/pound) at the port of Santos and BRL 3.3977/pound ($0.6434/pound) at Paranagua, reflecting weaker international benchmarks and a softer US dollar.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)

Vietnam’s manufacturing sector began 2026 with stronger output growth, supported by steady demand, rising employment and robust purchasing activity, even as headline PMI eased slightly in January.

S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index stood at 52.5 in January 2026, down from 53 in December but remaining firmly above the 50 threshold, signalling a continued improvement in business conditions for the seventh straight month.

Production expanded sharply, driven by faster growth in new orders and a renewed, albeit modest, rise in export demand, including orders from other Asian markets such as India. Manufacturers responded by increasing hiring for a fourth consecutive month and stepping up purchasing to meet higher output requirements.

“It was a solid start to the year for the Vietnamese manufacturing sector as firms ramped up output in response to greater new orders and as part of efforts to meet client needs in a timely manner. Carrying on the momentum built towards the end of 2025, the sector looks to be in good shape for a successful 2026,” said Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Inflationary pressures, however, remained elevated. Input costs rose sharply due to strong demand and material shortages, while selling prices increased at the fastest pace since April 2022. Despite this, sentiment improved further, with 55 per cent of firms expecting output to rise over the next 12 months.

“The one potential headwind for firms, however, is the strength of inflationary pressures. Supply shortages of materials pushed up prices sharply again in January and firms responded accordingly by hiking their selling prices to a greater extent. So far demand has remained resilient in the face of these pressures, but we will need to keep an eye out for any softening of new order growth in the months ahead,” Harker added.

Vietnam’s manufacturing sector started 2026 on a strong footing, with output, new orders and employment expanding despite a slight dip in PMI.
January PMI eased to 52.5 but stayed in expansion for a seventh month.
Rising domestic and export demand lifted hiring and purchasing, though input costs and selling prices climbed sharply amid material shortages.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)