China Textile Federation Strives To Improve International Purchasing Practice

On Tuesday, January 12, representatives of the Asian Regional Sustainable Textile Network (star network) held a meeting and launched a new initiative calling for better international procurement practices in the textile and clothing industry. Star network is the first dialogue and cooperation network composed of textile and garment industry producers' associations across Asia.

"We hope to reach a common position on payment and delivery terms on behalf of all Asian (textile and garment industry) producer associations and manufacturers, so as to enhance our voice in individual and collective negotiations with brands and buyers, and achieve improvements in procurement practices." Mr. Miran Ali, director of bgmea, made a statement on behalf of star network. What is unique about this initiative is that it raises questions about procurement practices (such as payment and delivery terms) from the perspective of manufacturers and associations representing them, making it a true bottom-up initiative. The initiative is supported by all nine member organizations of star network, including Cambodian Garment Manufacturers Association (GMAC), Bangladesh garment manufacturers and Exporters Association (bgmea), Bangladesh knitwear manufacturing and Exporters Association (BKMEA), China Textile Industry Federation (CNTAC), Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (ptea), Pakistan sock manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA), Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Stan towel manufacturers association (TMA), Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), Vietnam textile and clothing association (vitas). "This common position will be strong." Said Miran Ali. According to his estimation, the manufacturers covered by star network account for more than 60% of global textile and garment exports.

An important feature of Global trade in textile and clothing industry is that there is an imbalance of power between brands and buyers and textile and garment manufacturers. During the covid-19 epidemic, this imbalance was intensified and more obvious. Under such circumstances, brand enterprises and buyers, especially those from European and American countries, cancel orders, leaving many Asian manufacturers with no way out. "It's been tough [for producers in the textile and clothing industry] in the past," explains Miran Ali. The epidemic has changed everything, but the textile and garment industry in Asia can not be doomed because of the epidemic! "

It is expected that by March 2021, the associations will set up five working groups to work together to clarify various "red lines", requirements and suggestions on payment and delivery methods, procurement planning and information communication, and third-party bargaining. According to the opinions of the working groups, the second phase of the initiative will start a comprehensive promotion and implementation oriented to the whole industry. A number of international industry organizations and networks, including the International Federation of textile manufacturers (ITMF) and the international clothing Federation (IAF), have expressed support for the initiative. Their representatives will support the working group as experts or members of industry advisory committees. Before brands, buyers and other stakeholders participate in the discussion, manufacturers and their associations will use the "safe space" of their new initiatives to develop joint requirements and recommendations, and then communicate in a unified position.

Star network is committed to dialogue and trust building to exchange best practices and promote the sustainable development of the textile and garment industry. Star network was established during the "Annual Conference on social responsibility of China's textile and garment industry" held in Shanghai in 2016 to promote the sustainable development of Asian textile and garment industry. In the early stages of the outbreak, star network has issued a joint statement calling on international brands and purchasers to implement responsible purchasing practices in the context of the outbreak. The statement, which was released on the star web site in April 2020, strongly promoted international discussions on the implementation of responsible procurement practices during the outbreak.