The Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS) office in Istanbul has intensified its investment promotion activities targeting Turkiye’s readymade garments (RMG) and textile sectors and their supporting industries.

The initiative aims at strengthening Egypt’s industrial ecosystem and localise key auxiliary manufacturing to boost export capacity and competitiveness.

Egypt’s consul general in Istanbul Ali Basha and deputy consul for commercial affairs Hoda Dorra recently met chairperson and board members of the Turkish Association of Clothing Accessories Manufacturers as well as representatives of several member companies.

The Egyptian Commercial Service has intensified its investment promotion activities targeting Turkiye’s textile and RMG sectors and supporting industries.
An Egyptian delegation’s recent meeting with the Turkish Association of Clothing Accessories Manufacturers concluded with a pact to organise an official visit to Egypt by an association delegation during the final quarter of this year.

The Egyptian delegation reviewed the range of incentives, including tax exemptions, streamlined licensing procedures and preferential access to industrial zones and export markets, available in Turkiye to foreign investors.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to organise an official visit to Egypt by a delegation from the Turkish association and its member companies during the final quarter of this year, Egypt State Information Service reported on Facebook.

The visit will allow participants to explore on-ground investment opportunities and assess the feasibility of establishing new clothing accessories and supplies factories in Egypt, serving both the domestic market and export destinations in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the United Kingdom contracted by 0.3 per cent in August 2025 to 74.3 (2016=100), after no change in July. As a result, the UK LEI decreased by 1.3 per cent over the six-month period from February to August 2025, a higher rate of decline than the -1.1 per cent over the previous six-month period between August 2024 and February 2025.

However, the Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for the United Kingdom increased by 0.2 per cent in August 2025 to 108.3 (2016=100), after also no change in July. Overall, the CEI for the UK grew by 0.8 per cent over the six-month period from February to August 2025, on par with the 0.8 per cent increase observed over the previous six-month period between August 2024 and February 2025, The Conference Board said in a press release.

“The UK LEI remained on a downward trend and continued to decline in August,” said Timothy Brennan, economic research associate at The Conference Board. “As in previous months, the weakness came primarily from soft consumer sentiment, lower housing sale expectations, and a rise in unemployment claimants, which more than offset gains from financial components, operating surplus, and productivity. The 6-month growth rate of the UK LEI stayed above the recession threshold, and the warning signal was not triggered either. Still, the LEI reading indicates that economic growth in the United Kingdom will be sluggish through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. The Bank of England cut the bank rate for the third time this year in August 2025, a move that could help ease economic headwinds. The Conference Board expects UK GDP to grow by 1.3 per cent in 2025 and in 2026.”

The UK Leading Economic Index fell 0.3 per cent in August 2025, signalling continued weakness due to poor consumer sentiment and rising unemployment claims.
Despite this, the Coincident Index rose 0.2 per cent, reflecting modest current growth.
The LEI’s six-month decline suggests sluggish economic prospects through 2026, though not recessionary.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)

The atmosphere on the forecourt of Villa Noailles was effervescent, with a tightly packed crowd delighted to be back together again this year at the Hyères International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories. Yet this must-attend event for fashion and emerging talent had been under threat from a severe budget crisis. In the crowd, there was palpable relief and a determination to do everything possible to make this 40th edition a success.

On the roof of the imposing rationalist building that hosts the event on the heights of Hyères, in the Var, a flag bearing a multicoloured sun flies. The flag was designed by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who is on the Fashion competition jury. He stands alongside the other juries and institutional representatives on the new stage set up in the garden for the opening ceremony, set against the backdrop of another large rainbow sun. This new arrangement, a departure from the usual ritual at the villa entrance, gently signals the transition.

“This sun represents what Villa Noailles is all about: dream, creation… It’s the sun that will celebrate this 40th edition,” declared Pascale Mussard, the institution’s president, the first to speak on Thursday evening, thanking “all the people who make the Festival possible”.

The mayor of Hyères, Jean-Pierre Giran, followed suit, thanking, not without a certain emotion, all those present. “There are many of you here, and that’s what matters most, demonstrating your commitment to this project of creativity, modernity and youth,” he told the audience.

“This Festival project is one of a kind, particularly in terms of its reach and longevity,” emphasises Hugo Lucchino, the new general manager of the Villa Noailles art centre, who oversees not only the renowned competition for young designers but also other events such as Design Parade.

Having taken up his post just a few days ago, he pays tribute to his predecessor, Jean-Pierre Blanc, the Festival’s emblematic founder. The mayor and Pascal Morand, executive president of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, also pay tribute.

Before declaring the Festival officially open, Lucchino also thanked, “for their unfailing support,” the partners who have all stepped up at this pivotal moment for Villa Noailles. These include local institutional partners and the French Ministry of Culture, as well as private sponsors such as Chanel, Le 19M, LVMH, Hermès, Supima, Kering, American Vintage and Première Classe, to name but a few.

Support for creativity

“I’m really happy, I feel there’s incredible energy. You can sense that everyone is fully on board. We all want it to continue, because it’s a great festival,” said designer Lutz Huelle, who was on the jury in 2015. “We’re witnessing a kind of ‘reset’. The fact that there’s no jury president this year, but only fashion professionals, is a good idea, because Hyères is, above all, a Festival for young designers and students.”

Mauro Grimaldi, a consultant in the luxury sector who has been attending the event for thirty years, reiterated how important it is to support events of this kind.

“All anyone talks about is money, but it’s crucial to support independent creativity, because the young talent it generates is what feeds the fashion industry. That’s why this is a key edition,” he concluded.