Manufacturing had a soft start to 2011 with the January Australian Industry Group - PwC Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®) relatively unchanged at 46.7 points, up 0.4 points and remaining below the critical 50 point level for the fifth consecutive month (readings below 50 indicate a contraction in activity).

Manufacturers remained cautious in the month, driving down inventories (with the inventories sub-index down 11.4 points) rather than ordering new stock. New orders fell in seven of the 12 sub-sectors. Falls were most marked in the construction materials; paper, printing & publishing and fabricated metals sub-sectors. In contrast, the chemicals, petroleum & coal; transport equipment; and machinery & equipment sub-sectors benefitted from strong post-Christmas orders.

Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Heather Ridout, said: “The continuing subdued performance of the manufacturing sector reflects the complex nature of the Australian economy; consumers and businesses are cautious and there is a structural squeeze on the sector arising from the resources boom and related strength of the dollar. The immediate outlook is not encouraging with the forward-looking new orders sub-index falling for the fifth month in a row in January.

Source: http://www.aigroup.com.au

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Victoria’s tourism operators should be able to log onto a central, ‘one-stop shop’ website to lodge all compliance certificates needed to carry out their business so the industry can continue to grow, says the industry’s peak body.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) says a central website, similar to the one that is currently used in the plumbing industry, would save tourism operators time and money by allowing them to lodge applications for permits and other compliance documents in one spot, rather than having to visit the websites of numerous government departments and agencies as well as, often multiple, local governments.

VTIC Chairman Jeremy Johnson says the central website forms part of the Council’s submission to the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission’s review into red tape in the tourism industry.

Source: http://www.vecci.org.au/news/Pages/%E2%80%98One-stop_shop%E2%80%99_to_help_reduce_red_tape_burden_on_tourism_industry.aspx

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Senior Vice President for Policy and Government Relations Aric Newhouse issued a statement following the Senate’s vote to repeal the expanded reporting requirements under Section 9006 of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

“Manufacturers are pleased that the Senate has wisely lifted one of the many regulatory and policy burdens from their backs with tonight’s vote to repeal section 1099.

Source: http://www.nam.org/Communications/Articles/2011/01/Article.aspx

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The Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign (AMAG) reiterates its call for tougher food labelling laws, following the release of the Final Report of the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy.

While welcoming the panel’s three country-of-origin labelling recommendations, AMAG Chief Executive, Ian Harrison, insists they need to be extended even further so consumers are given clear and consistent information to make informed choices with.

“The term `Made in Australia’ should not be allowed to be used in a qualified claim such as `Made in Australia from local and imported ingredients’ as shoppers find this confusing. Food products which don’t meet the full criteria set out in the Australian Consumer Law should be labelled with an alternative claim, for example packaged in’ or `blended in’,” Mr Harrison says.

Source: http://www.australianmade.com.au/blewett-report-needed-to-go-further/

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“Elizabeth (Betsy) Anderson, Executive Vice President Legal and General Counsel, was recently elected to the Food and Drug Law Institute’s (FDLI) Board of Directors. Betsy’s past FDLI experience includes three years on the Food and Drug Law Journal’s advisory board and contributions to numerous chapters of text including “FDA Regulation of Personal Care Products,” Nanotechnology & FDA-Regulated Products: The Essential Guide (2009) and “The Cosmetic Regulatory Process,” A Practical Guide to Food and Drug Law and Regulation, Third Edition (2008).

“Founded in 1949, FDLI is a non-profit organization that provides a marketplace for discussing food and drug law issues through conferences, publications and member interaction. FDLI’s scope includes food, drugs, animal drugs, biologics, cosmetics, diagnostics, dietary supplements, medical devices and tobacco.”

Source: http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/newsroom/20110201

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Cape Town based sewing thread manufacturer ACA Threads has bought competitor A&E South Africa in a deal which shows faith in the future of South Africa’s often beleaguered textile industry. A&E is the South African subsidiary of US company American & Efird.

The combined turnover of the two companies is around R70-million per year. Acquired as a going concern, the 55 staff members from A&E’s Epping premises will be incorporated with the 86 staff at ACA Threads Brackenfell factory during the course of the year.

Eckhard Marshing, CEO of ACA Threads, says the deal will ensure a world class supply base to satisfy existing and growing needs of retail for strong local manufacturing businesses. There is an increasing trend to look inside of South Africa and its neighbouring countries as the Chinese are starting to retain their goods for their own use, and import prices and logistical challenges attached to importing increase. South Africa is realizing that we need a solid local supply base, and government is supporting the process through its production incentive programs.

Source: http://english.ctei.gov.cn/News/Companies/274096.htm

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To provide fog-prone equipments at the airports, The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has suggested Special Budgetary Provision to avoid heavy losses the airlines industry is incurring by diverting/canceling flights.

In a note submitted to the government, the Chamber says, the Airport Authority of India should also consider upgrading at least CAT II / IIIA facilities in all fog-prone airports such as ATQ, LKO, PAT, CCU, JAI, IXJ, SXR, IXC.

Given high cost of converting aircraft and training pilots to operate under Cat III B conditions, such a measure would help in incentivising airlines to invest in CAT III B compliant aircraft and pilot training.

ASSOCHAM has further suggested the government to provide exclusive viability gap funding mechanism for encouraging private investment in regional airports. While the initial corpus can be made through a budgetary provision, the fund could be financed/ augmented by monetizing land owned by AAI/ government at other commercially attractive airports.

Concession on airport fees and other charges for Airlines, with a sunset clause if required, should be provided to enhance connectivity to Tier II and Tier III cities says the Chamber spokesman.

Source: http://www.assocham.org/prels/shownews.php?id=2742

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Thailand - Thailand’s garment exports have increased by 8.27 percent to US$3.205 billion last year, according to the Thailand Garment Manufacturers Association (TGMA). The US remains Thailand’s largest market for garments, importing $1.26 billion up to 7.26 percent accounting for 39.3 percent of total exports.

The EU and Japan were ranked second and third export markets during the period, worth $1.013 billion and $252.96 million respectively, and up by 4.69 percent and 11.73 percent. Within the EU region, shipments to the UK account for the largest share and remained the third largest export country, worth $179.28 million but was down by 5.27 percent.

Source:http://www.aepcindia.com/international.asp?id=450&yr=2011

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Taking place this spring Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics will offer a glimpse into which fabrics, colours and textures will be in style for both international and Chinese Spring/Summer 2012 (SS12) markets. From 30 March - 1 April 2011 at China International Exhibition Centre, Beijing, China, and the on-site trend forums will help guide industry professionals’ designs and manufacturing processes in line with the coming season.

Using exhibitors’ products, internationally renowned trend forecasters incorporate references on specific colour ranges, directions on fabrics, on prints and on garments, delivering an energetic insight for SS12. The Intertextile Directions Trend Committee, comprising of NellyRodi Agency - Paris, France; Doneger Creative Services - New York, the US; Sachiko Inoue - Tokyo, Japan and Elementi Moda - Milan, Italy have forecasted a palette of very delicate and serene colours together with a mix of bright as well as black and radiant hues, setting the scene for a season full of optimism (Hall 2).

The SS12 trends are broken down into four themes:
ORIGIN: A breath of fresh air floats over this theme. Pastel colours are combined with chalky neutrals to create extremely soft harmonies - white, sky blue, beige, pale greys and pale pinks are used together or combined with silver. Fabrics are mainly light and transparent - voiles, poplins, devoré transparency, ultra-light gauzes.

Source: http://www.cnga.org.cn/engl/news/View.asp?NewsID=28490

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Prada is on a hot streak in Asia with its recent first-ever Beijing fashion show and now the company has confirmed a much rumored Hong Kong IPO. Prada would be the first Italian company to list in Hong Kong, according to Bloomberg.

Timing is good as luxury companies are enjoying resurgent growth led by China. “Current valuations in the luxury sector are not far from their historical highs,” said Marc Willaume, luxury analyst at Raymond James in Paris. “The offering would attract a lot of attention from investors because of the allure of the Prada brand.”

Prada had postponed previous plans to list over the years usually citing adverse market conditions. Market conditions are now promising. The number of middle-income and affluent consumers in China is projected to triple to 415 million in 10 years according to the Boston Consulting Group.

The Milan-based company sells handbags, clothing, leather goods, shoes and accessories under the Prada, Miu Miu, Church’s and Car Shoe brands, and licenses its name for eyewear, fragrances and cellphones. It has 310 company-owned stores globally.

Source: http://www.cnga.org.cn/engl/news/View.asp?NewsID=28488

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