Category: Apparel

Jan 22, 2009 (LBO) – A partially operational state textile firm which is overstaffed and debt ridden would be restructured with about half its workers being laid off, an official said. Sri Lanka’s overstaffed state-run firms eat up billions in tax-payer money. Lanka Salusala Ltd now has 298 workers. The firm’s board of directors was […]

Jan 21, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan apparel exporters say a sharp depreciation of the rupee is needed, as demand falls in major markets and hurdles on a promised state bailout may limit its usefulness. The rupee has fallen to 113-114 against the dollar from around 108 last September. “If the rupee is around 118 […]

Jan 21, 2009 (LBO) – About 30-40,000 people employed in Sri Lanka’s apparel export industry may lose their jobs this year owing to a slow down in orders because of recession in key markets, a senior official said.Ajith Dias, chairman, Joint Apparel Association Forum, said the industry is also facing a brain drain with the […]

Dec 26, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s apparel exporters could win back 15 percent of orders now lost due to an overvalued rupee caused by high domestic inflation, if there was a realistic exchange rate, an industry official said. The Sri Lanka rupee has fallen against the US dollar in December after the Central Bank […]

Dec 17, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan apparel exporters say a temporary extension of a scheme giving duty free access to European markets provides time to recover lost orders, cut costs and ensure compliance with its eligibility criteria. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 Sri […]

Dec 10, 2008 (LBO) – Brandix Lanka, a top Sri Lankan clothing exporter, has got US aid to train workers in a new factory it has set up in the island’s east which the government is trying to develop after driving out Tamil Tiger rebels.The US Agency for International Development and Brandix Lanka are working […]

Dec 05, 2008 (LBO) – A Sri Lankan apparel exporter said increased energy efficiency in a new ‘green’ environmentally friendly manufacturing plant it started earlier this year should help pay for the extra costs of building it. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 Lingerie manufacturer […]

Nov 10, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s apparel exporters complain buyers practice double standards in purchasing and are not ready to pay more despite the manufacturers’ costly commitment to comply with high labour and environmental standards. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 “We’re disappointed there […]

Nov 06, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government will buy shares in apparel export firms under a support scheme to help them cope with a possible loss of duty free access to European markets, a senior official said. Ajit Dias, chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum, an industry umbrella body, said the government has […]

Nov 06, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s apparel export industry faces a tough year next year with slowing demand in key markets and the likely loss of GSP+ duty free exports to Europe, a senior official said. “I think we’re heading for somewhat of a crisis next year and the industry is gearing itself for […]

Oct 21, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan apparel exporter Brandix group said its cleaner production efforts are driven not only by environmental imperatives but because they help cut costs and improve efficiency.New manufacturing methods that are cleaner than older ones are motivated by environmental imperatives, Brandix Casualwear Managing Director A J Johnpillai said. But they […]

Oct 20, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has rejected a European Union demand to conduct a probe on human rights and child soldiers, but will give exporters state help to tide over a shock from loss of trade concessions, a senior minister said. The European Union has asked that Sri Lanka comply with international conventions […]