India’s apparel exporters have been implementing various strategies to ensure that they remain competitive in the liberalised trading environment of 2005 and beyond. At the end of 2004, all quotas restricting exports of textiles and clothing from developing countries to the USA, the EU and Canada are due to be eliminated.
A number of firms are responding to the challenge by improving production efficiency through increased automation, re-engineering of production systems, merging separate production units, and backward and forward integration of operations. Some companies are expanding their production capacity in anticipation of enhanced demand in 2005 and beyond. Others have been moving up the value chain by diversifying their product ranges, exporting high value apparel, and improving their design capabilities. Some are planning to raise added value by setting up joint ventures with foreign firms, to take advantage of their technical, design and marketing expertise. Others are building relationships with foreign buyers to enhance their marketing expertise.
Help has also come from the Indian government. The latter has removed restrictions on investment by large companies and foreign investors. It has also taken steps to improve the infrastructure for exporters, and has provided incentives for technological upgradation. However, a major constraint is the rigidity of labour laws, which makes it hard for large firms to cut their workforces when necessary.
Product Overview
| Six times a year, Textile Outlook International provides up to 200 pages of expert comment and analysis. A subscription provides an overview of the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. It is essential reading for senior executives in the fibre, textile and apparel industries – and for anyone who is not involved in the industry, but needs to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues. | |
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| Reports in Textile Outlook International include: | |
 | country profiles – providing a comprehensive guide to the textile and clothing industries in a range of countries and regions. The reports include an economic and political profile together with a comprehensive overview of the main issues, plus an outlook for the future. |
| | company profiles – giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others. Companies profiled recently include retailers, manufacturers, innovators and sourcing companies involved in textiles and apparel as well as smaller companies which illustrate the opportunities for firms which are interested in selected sourcing locations. |
| | trends in world textile and apparel trade and production – taking into account current issues facing the industry – such as global fibre prices; competition from China and other low cost countries; the elimination of quotas and imposition of selective new ones; relocation of production operations; the impact of economic factors affecting trade; international trade agreements; trade promotion agreements (TPAs); and much more. |
| | trends in EU and US imports of textiles and clothing – providing comprehensive statistical data and analysis of the top ten supplying countries to the EU and US markets. These reports are updated each year and contain value and volume data as well as average prices and analyses of trends for up to 15 product categories. |
| | innovations, technological developments, business development opportunities, individual sector analysis and political implications which affect players in the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. Some of the topics which have been covered in recent reports include: new innovations in the textile and clothing industry, such as environmentally friendly textiles, plant based fibres, and developments in textile colorants; innovations in textile machinery; and overviews of the European swimwear, hosiery and lingerie markets. |
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| So whether you are involved in fibres, textiles or clothing – in manufacturing, spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, import/export, retailing – or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance, a subscription to Textile Outlook International will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry. | |
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| Textile Outlook International is available on subscription – either in printed format only, or in printed and electronic format. If you choose the printed only option, you will receive 6 printed publications a year, containing a total of 30 reports plus editorials written by Robin Anson, our editorial director and in-house industry expert. | |
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| Electronic supplement If you choose the printed and electronic option, you will receive an extra service. You will still receive each issue in printed format, delivered to you by traditional post. In addition, you will be able to download PDF files containing the same information – but the PDF files will be available immediately on publication, so you don’t have to wait for the printing and mailing. You also have all the benefits of electronic files: instant access even when you are away from the office; convenient storage in your PC or laptop; portability; electronic search facility; and copy/paste facility. | |
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