Thailand's five shoemakers offered to substitute for Vietnam's footwear manufactures, supporting Vietnam stand against dumping accusations by the EU on locally produced leather footwear. The Vietnam Leather & Footwear Association (Lefaso) is likely to send its delegation to Thailand to learn the companies to assess the base market cost of their shoes, and whether their product have quality to match the EU standards or not.However, the footwear association has to search five more Thai compani

China has welcomed the US move for delaying decision over the fate of textiles quotas, and hopes considerable progress before it takes the final decision. The US Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) stated that it would delay the decision on new restrictions on certain categories that include woolen trousers, sweaters made from cotton and man-made fabrics, and brassieres. The committee was to decide earlier, but now, it is likely to be take decision by this month end. Co

China and the United States conducted their first strategic talks in Beijing, focusing to raise transparency and enhancing bilateral relations. The closed-door dialogue, the first of its kind since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 26 years ago, was co-chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who arrived here on Sunday. During a whole day of discussions starting from 9 a.m. on Monday, both sides exchanged views "in a candid and

According to the monthly data released by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE), Korea? exports stood at USD $23.39 billion in July 2005, an increase of 11.4 percent from a year earlier, while imports climbed 16.9 percent year-on-year to $21.29 billion. In total, the nation recorded a trade surplus of $1.9 billion in July.Exports have remained above the $23 billion mark since March 2005, boosted by steady growth worldwide, especially in the U.S and China. This month? double-digit

China cotton prices fell in the past week. All Chinese cotton markets remained in a period of adjustment. In the short term, China cotton prices were expected to stay in recession due to decreasing cotton consumer confidence. In the long term, however, they were forecasted to rise due to the reprise of cotton demands from Chinese factories. The price of China cotton Grade 328 returned to the level of two weeks ago, to 13,519 yuan per ton. This was down 3 yuan per ton - a 0.02% decrease in yuan

China's cotton yarn imports totaled 68,800 tons in June, which was slightly down by 2800 tons or 3.89 percent from last month. It was up by 12,500 tons or 22.13 percent compared with the same period of last year. For the same period, cotton yarn exports totaled 45,100 tons, which was down by 3400 tons or 7.06 percent from May, but up by 18.51 percent from year-ago levels. From September 2004 to now, cumulative cotton yarn imports reached 613,900 tonnes, down by 4.62 percent (29,800 tons) from ye

China and the United States held their first strategic talks and reached to amicable results to increase co-operation and constructive relations.The closed-door dialogue, the first senior-level meeting of its kind between the two countries, was co-chaired by Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who arrived in Beijing on Sunday.During a full day of discussions starting at 9 am, both sides exchanged views in a candid and in-depth manner, according to

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) announced its decision to extend the period for making determinations on six pending textile safeguard cases in order to consult with our domestic textile and apparel industries and members of Congress about whether to pursue a broader agreement with China on imports of Chinese textile and apparel products to the United States. Because of these consultations, the Committee is unable to make a determination within 60 calendar days

Continued investment in innovation is essential to the future of Australian sheep producers, Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) Chairman Ian McLachlan said today."We innovate or perish - both on-farm and post-farm," he said."If Australian Merino woolgrowers are to prosper as individual businesses and as an industry, then the industry must continue to invest in innovation," Mr McLachlan told more than 130 producers at a forum on AWI's research station in the NSW Riverina."To this end AWI is

The latest outburst by PETA President Ingrid Newkirk clearly indicates confusion in her organisation about its campaign against the Australian wool and sheep industry, according to AWI Chairman Ian McLachlan."PETA is obviously feeling the pressure of the AWI legal case and the severe criticism it has been subjected to in the US over the charging of two of its employees with 62 counts of animal cruelty arising from the killing and dumping of dogs taken from animal shelters," Mr McLachlan said."La