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Egypt's cotton exports Cotton arrival shows 6.8pc decrease
up 45% in Q1 2018-19 Seed cotton (Phutti) equivalent to over 10,741,381 showing a decrease of 9.34 per cent. Sindh ginneries
bales of cotton has reached ginneries across
recorded arrival of 4,149,063 bales while last year Sindh
Pakistan in March, showing a decrease of 6.8 per
compared to corresponding period of last year.
cent as compared to corresponding period last year received 4,253,258 bales with 2.45 per cent less as
The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and the country. when ginneries received 11,524,581 bales.
Statistics (CAPMAS) in its quarterly newsletter for the Textile mills had bought 9,433,830 bales while
first quarter of 2018-19 said that cotton exports from In December last year, the Egyptian government PCGA said that fortnightly report revealed that exporters bought 102,330 bales and total bales sold
Egypt increased to 128,300 metric quintals during appointed an official steering committee to safeguard ginneries in Punjab recorded arrival of 6,592,318 out so far were calculated at 9,536,160 bales. Total
September-November 2018, registering an increase the future of the Egyptian cotton brand. Egyptian bales against the last year arrival of 7,271,323 bales 1,205,221 bales were lying unsold, PCGA informed.
of 45.1 per cent over exports made during the cotton fibers are considered by many to be the best
corresponding period of the previous agricultural year. because of their length, strength, and softness.
The new steering committee, appointed by the
The consumption of cotton in the domestic market, minister of trade & industry, is responsible for the
however, fell to 25,700 metric quintals during the licensing and promotion of Egyptian cotton globally,
period under review, showing a fall of 42.2 per cent as well as policing the integrity of the supply chain to
year-on-year. The sharp drop in domestic ensure full compliance, traceability, and
consumption was due to suspension of transparency. The Cotton Egypt Association (CEA) is
manufacturing activities by some textile factories in also a part of the new structure.
The negative impact of US
withdrawal of GSP on
Bangladesh seeks tariff India’s garment exports
benefits for increased cotton
imports from US The U.S. government has decided to withdraw According to the Apparel Export Promotion Council
trade concessions granted to India under the
(AEPC), the US imports $586.58 million worth of
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The
RMG products under 15 categories that currently
programme, which allows duty-free entry for certain enjoy GSP. India's share of this pie is $17.97 million.
If the American government offers duty benefits for (BTMA), Bangladesh imports nearly 8 million bales products into the U.S. market, has benefited both
apparel items manufactured of American cotton, of cotton from across the world annually, of which countries, as shown by the growing volume of The MFN (most favored nation) tariff in 15 products
Bangladesh will import more cotton from the 6.93% is from the USA. According to international trade over the years. varies from 0.86 per cent to 14.6 percent in which
United States. trade administrator Otexa’ data, Bangladesh India gets duty access with 100 percent margin of
exports to the US market stood at $5.20 billion, up The plan to end the preferential trade status preference.
BGMEA president Mr Siddiqur Rahman made the by 5.72% in January-November of 2018. Apparel granted to India by US President Mr Donald Trump
proposal at a meeting with the US Ambassador to exports to the US market saw a 6% jump to $5 may have negative impact on textile exports from It may be noted that these 15 products contribute
Bangladesh, Mr Earl R Miller, at the trade body’s billion in the period. the country. to only 0.46% of India’s apparel exports. The bulk
headquarters. In addition, BGMEA informed the of the benefit is concentrated on Woven silk
ambassador that Bangladeshi spinners are keen to But during the talks, he assured the ambassador According to the Industry experts, while the impact dresses for women, which make up 58.5 percent of
set up spinning mills in the USA, if the US that Bangladesh has met all the 16 conditions would be marginal, under the current India's total trade under GSP. India exported goods
government would grant tariff benefits for RMG attached for the restoration of GSP trade facilities. circumstances it would not be good as exports are worth $6.2 bn in 2018 under the GSP, the highest
made with yarn imported from such factories in the He added, the business leader also said that the already dropping. They have also said Centre since 1997. However, the GSP’s share in India’s
USA. duty free market access will ultimately benefit US should compensate the price increase through
consumers and increase bilateral trade as well as subsidy or incentives and should learn from the US total exports to the U.S. has come down recently
According to Bangladesh Textile Mills Association help Bangladesh in creating jobs. when it comes to protectionism. after peaking in the mid-2000s.
February/March 2019 February/March 2019

