Thai tax breaks

THAILAND: The Garment Manufacturers Association has appealed to the Thai Government to provide tax breaks to companies investing in offshore production. Several Thai enterprises have set up garment production units in Cambodia while also exporting to other countries. The move has been prompted by the strong level of the Baht, which has forced several companies out of business. In 2006, Thailand's garment exports were valued at $US3.55 billion ($A4.4 billion), a 2.36 percent rise over of the year.

UNITED KINGDOM: Supermarket chain ASDA has launched a major campaign to boost the beleaguered British clothing industry. The chain has announced plans to stock an entire range of clothing made exclusively in the UK - with a Union Jack label displayed prominently to emphasise their origin. It also plans to set up a Dragon's Den style open access system, where UK clothing manufacturers can present their latest ideas and designs to a panel of ASDA buyers. More than one million garments will be produced each year and sold in ASDA stores under the George brand nationwide.

High tech fabric
UNITED STATES: A New Zealand-pioneered fabric that gathers information on heart beat, skin temperature, posture, activity and breathing rate may be purchased by the American Defence Force for use by its special force soldiers. Auckland-based company Zephyr Technology developed the textiles for use by athletes to hone their performance by measuring how they react in training. The company has signed a deal with the US Department of Defence to provide some of its special forces with the bioharness - one of two patented products developed by Zephyr that use the fabric. For more: zephyrtech.co.nz

H&M new offering
UNITED KINGDOM: Swedish headquartered fashion chain H&M has opened its first COS store which it believes will give customers a unique offer on the UK high street. The London store represents the global debut of H&M's more upmarket concept, which offers ready-to-wear designs for men and women with retail prices from £20 ($A48) for shirts to £240 ($A584) for men's suits. It will be followed by a northern European roll-out in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium later this month. COS's collection will be based around two seasonal ranges, split into weekly, then ultimately daily, deliveries using H&M's existing logistics and IT networks.

Vietnam halt
VIETNAM: The Vietnam Government has decided to impose minimum prices to domestic apparel exporters as a way of limiting a growing risk of US anti-dumping duties, according to a report on emergingtextiles.com. Exporters now need to request export licences from authorities. The website claims the government has stated that permits will not be issued to companies selling at prices it considers too low.