On April 28, the Brazilian government signed the presidential decree allowing the immediate application of the Mercosur–European Union Trade Agreement in Brazil, enabling its entry into force on May 1.

With the commercial chapter entering into force, even on a provisional basis, the agreement provides for: gradual tariff reductions; elimination of trade barriers; and greater regulatory predictability.

Opportunities

For the textile and apparel industry, the agreement creates opportunities for Mercosur companies to gain greater access to a market that imports approximately €115 billion annually. The Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) considers the agreement’s entry into force a significant step toward strengthening trade relations and enhancing Brazil’s competitive integration into the global economy. The Association welcomes this progress, recognizing its potential to expand investments, exports, innovation, and job creation.

The reduction of import duties established under the agreement will be implemented gradually for most textile and apparel products.

For the textile and apparel industry, the agreement creates opportunities for Mercosur companies to gain greater access to a market that imports approximately €115 billion annually. The Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) considers the agreement’s entry into force a significant step toward strengthening trade relations and enhancing Brazil’s competitive integration into the global economy. The Association welcomes this progress, recognizing its potential to expand investments, exports, innovation, and job creation.

The reduction of import duties established under the agreement will be implemented gradually for most textile and apparel products.

Ongoing cooperation

Abit and Euratex, together with other sector associations from Mercosur, AICP and FITA, created the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement – Textile and Apparel Dialogue. The initiative aims to provide an organized framework for ongoing cooperation between the textile and apparel industries on both sides of the Atlantic.

More recently, on April 27, Abit participated in important meetings in Europe. In Prato, in the Tuscany region of Italy, the Association attended the Italy–Latin America Economic Forum alongside institutional and business leaders in sector-focused panels aimed at expanding economic cooperation. In the city of Porto, Portugal, Abit also took part in the event Em Foco Brasil – Textile and Apparel Sector, where it addressed the current landscape of Brazil’s textile industry and joint opportunities, as well as the impacts of the European Union–Mercosur agreement on the textile and apparel sector.

Het bericht Brazil: Mercosur–European Union agreement comes into force verscheen eerst op IAF.

Speaking at the Conference Titled “Transformation Journey of the Turkish Apparel Industry,” IHKIB Chairman Mustafa Paşahan: Customs Union Agreement Must Be Updated Without Delay for Our Competitiveness

Mustafa Paşahan: “The Customs Union, in its current form, has more of a restrictive effect than a supportive one on our cooperation. The free trade agreements the EU has signed with third countries generate asymmetric outcomes for Türkiye. For this reason, a formula must be found to include Türkiye in the EU’s FTA negotiation processes.”

Mustafa Paşahan, Chairman of the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB), stated that the CustomsUnion Agreement signed with the European Union 30 years ago, in its current form, has more of a restrictive effect on cooperation between the parties than a supportive one. Paşahan underlined that a lasting competitive advantage in the EU market can only be achieved through the full modernization of the Customs Union.

The conference, titled “Transformation Journey of the Turkish Apparel Industry” and organized by IHKIB, brought together the presidents of international industry organizations, brand representatives, sector professionals, exporters, and experts.Delivering the opening remarks, Mustafa Paşahan drew attention to the EU’s position as a strategic market for the Turkish apparel sector. Noting that 61 percent of Türkiye’s total apparel exports are directed to EU member states, Paşahan made the following remarks:

“We know that a lasting competitive advantage in the EU market can only be achieved through the full modernization of the Customs Union. However, the Customs Union in its current form has more of a restrictive effect on our cooperation than a supportive one. The free trade agreements (FTAs) the EU has concluded with third countries generate asymmetric outcomes for Türkiye. For this reason, a formula must be found to include Türkiye in the EU’s ongoing FTA negotiation processes, and the Customs Union must be updated in line with the shifting economic landscape. On another front, the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Rules of Origin Cumulation has facilitated North African countries’ access to the EU market — a development that diminishes the advantages Turkey derives from the Customs Union and intensifies competitive pressure, particularly in the textile and readyto- wear sectors. It is therefore of great importance that developments pertaining to rules of origin be taken into account during the process of updating the Customs Union. We are also closely monitoring developments related to the ‘Made in Europe’ initiative, and we expect a framework to be established that does not exclude the value chains in which Türkiye is integrated.”

TIM Chairman Gültepe: We Object to the Customs Union Being Turned into Shackles

Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) Chairman Mustafa Gültepe, in his address, recalled the FTAs the EU has concluded with MERCOSUR countries and India. Stating that they have no objection to the EU signing FTAs with third countries, Gültepe continued:

“However, we strongly object to these FTAs turning the 30-year-old Customs Union Agreement into shackles for Turkey. We have serious objections to the possibility of products of Indian and South American origin entering our country duty-free indirectly through the EU. We are a country that is formally conducting full membership negotiations with the EU — even if those negotiations are effectively frozen. Accordingly, we have rights as well as obligations. Rather than being a neighbor whose door is only knocked on in difficult times, we want to be a strategic partner with whom the EU develops sustainable cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit.”

Other Speakers at the Event:

Mario Jorge Machado, President of EURATEX (European Apparel and Textile Confederation): EU Regulations Serve Not as a Barrier but as a Strategic Market Filter, Providing a Competitive Edge to Turkish Companies That Align Early.

“The EU regulatory framework should not be a barrier — it is a market access filter. Turkish companies that align early will not just comply; they will compete on terms that others cannot match.”

Stefano Festa Marzotto, President of the International Apparel Federation (IAF): IAF, ITMF, and IHKIB are driving industry transformation by uniting manufacturers, brands, and governments under a shared, manufacturer-centered agenda.

“Industry transformation will not happen through individual actors working in isolation – not through brands alone setting requirements, development partners alone running project-by-project programmes, manufacturers alone investing without support and infrastructure. It requires a new approach – one that places manufacturers at the centre and allows the whole industry to work together in the same direction, with a shared agenda and a shared understanding of what needs to happen, and in what sequence. This conviction underpinned IAF and ITMF’s joint founding of ATTI, the sector’s platform for manufacturer-driven collective action to realise industry transformation. And it underpins IHKIB’s role as a pioneer of the initiative. By supporting manufacturer leadership while leveraging the participation of brands, government representatives and industry experts, IAF, ITMF and IHKIB are creating the conditions for coordination demanded by industry transformation.”

Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, Business Engagement Lead at UN Climate Change (UNFCCC): Heading towards COP31, the Turkish apparel industry is leveraging its strategic role in the European ecosystem to accelerate climate action through strengthened public-private partnerships.

“We are now in a decisive phase of implementation. As we look ahead to COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, the Global Climate Action Agenda underscores what the real economy is already demonstrating: solutions exist, and proven approaches are being deployed. The central challenge for the fashion industry is no longer to define what needs to be done, but to accelerate the pace and scale of implementation. This requires strengthened collaboration between public and private actors across value chains to enable the conditions for delivery—through predictable policy frameworks, accessible finance, clear demand signals, and partnerships that translate ambition into action.”

“Today, the Turkish apparel industry is a strong and well-established part of the European production ecosystem, and Türkiye has become the European Union’s largest apparel supplier in its closest geography. Thanks to the Customs Union, our industry is deeply integrated into European value chains and has evolved into a reliable, competitive and strategic production hub for Europe.

Hüsnü Dilemre, Director General for International Agreements and European Union at the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye: Türkiye aims to turn the green transition into a strategic opportunity by aligning with EU standards to reinforce its position as Europe’s most sustainable, resilient, and competitive manufacturing hub.

We see the green transition not as a challenge, but as a major opportunity to further strengthen this position. Sustainability, circularity and traceability are becoming central elements of global trade, and our industry has already gained significant experience in adapting to these new expectations and producing in line with EU standards. In the coming period, by continuing our alignment with evolving EU legislation under the Customs Union, we aim to accelerate the green transformation of existing supply chains together with the EU and further reinforce Türkiye’s role as a sustainable, resilient and competitive manufacturing base.”

Het bericht Türkiye calls for urgent Customs Union update to protect apparel industry competitiveness verscheen eerst op IAF.

It gives us great pleasure to present the upcoming Global Sourcing Summit 2026, scheduled to be held on 3 & 4 June 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, alongside the 2nd Asia Sourcing Show 2026 (Textiles & Apparel) at the IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center in Bangkok.

Convened at a defining moment for the global textile and apparel industry, and positioned as a one-of-a-kind high-level gathering of the global sourcing ecosystem, the Summit will feature influential voices from international federations & associations, regional industry leaders, brands, sourcing offices, manufacturers, and innovators – to discuss the future of global textile and apparel supply chains in a rapidly changing world and create a powerful platform for dialogue, collaboration, networking, and business development.

Exploring new pathways

As global sourcing strategies continue to evolve amid geopolitical shifts, supply chain diversification, sustainability imperatives, digital transformation, and changing trade dynamics, the Summit aims to serve as a strategic platform where the industry collectively explores new pathways for resilience, collaboration, and growth across Asia and beyond.

The Global Sourcing Summit 2026 is being organized alongside the 2nd Asia Sourcing Show 2026 (Textiles & Apparel), jointly organized by CEMS-Global USA and the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX), with the support and participation of leading regional and international industry stakeholders.

Industry-defining platforms

The 2nd Asia Sourcing Show 2026 and the Global Sourcing Summit 2026 are being positioned as landmark, industry-defining platforms, with:

• The ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) as Co-Organizer, playing a central leadership role
• International Apparel Federation (IAF) as Strategic Partner
• China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Textiles (CCCT) as Partner

Strategic discussions will focus on:

• The Future of Global Sourcing
• ASEAN & Asia as the Next Manufacturing Powerhouse
• Supply Chain Diversification & Resilience
• Sustainability, ESG & Compliance, Trade Policy
• AI, Innovation & Smart Manufacturing
• Trade Partnerships & Regional Collaboration

Rapidly evolving Asian sourcing ecosystem

Bangkok – positioned at the heart of Asia, provides the ideal meeting point for this important gathering, offering unparalleled regional connectivity and access to the rapidly evolving Asian sourcing ecosystem.

The Global Sourcing Summit 2026 is designed for decision-makers seeking to understand where global sourcing is heading – and how Asia is positioning itself at the center of the industry’s next chapter.

This convergence of stakeholders is transforming the Show and Summit into a truly pan-Asian, globally relevant sourcing ecosystem – bringing together Asian manufacturers, exporters, regional and global buyers, policymakers, and industry leaders under one integrated platform.

For more information, please visit:

• Global Sourcing Summit 2026 – www.globalsourcingsummit.com
• 2nd Asia Sourcing Show 2026 (Textiles & Apparel) – www.asia-sourcing.com

Het bericht Global Sourcing Summit 2026 verscheen eerst op IAF.

The 2nd Asia Sourcing Show 2026 (Textiles & Apparel), taking place from 3 – 5 June 2026 at the IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center in Bangkok, is being organized jointly by CEMS-Global USA and ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX). Positioned as a high-impact, multi-country sourcing marketplace, the show will bring together leading manufacturers from across Asia with regional and global buyers, responding directly to the ongoing transformation of global supply chains.

Global and regional alignment

This edition represents a significant elevation of the platform, with strong global and regional alignment:

• ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) as Co-Organizer
• International Apparel Federation (IAF) – Netherlands as Strategic Partner
• China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Textiles (CCCT) as Partner
• From Thailand: National Federation of Thai Textile Industries (NFTTI) and Thailand Textile Institute (THTI) as Supporting Organizations, actively mobilizing Thai manufacturers

At a time when the global textile and apparel industry is undergoing a structural transformation driven by geopolitics, supply chain diversification, and sustainability imperatives, ASEAN, especially Thailand, stands at a pivotal moment to emerge as a leading global sourcing hub.

Strategic dialogue on the future of sourcing

Running alongside the exhibition, the Global Sourcing Summit 2026 will convene industry leaders, policymakers, and global brands for strategic dialogue on the future of sourcing – covering key themes such as supply chain resilience, sustainability, innovation, and evolving trade dynamics.

The International Apparel Federation (IAF) is our Strategic Partner. Dr. Dirk Vantyghem, Director General of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX), based in Brussels, has also confirmed his presence, further reinforcing the Summit’s global relevance and stature.

One integrated platform

This convergence of stakeholders is transforming the Show and Summit into a truly pan-Asian, globally relevant sourcing ecosystem – bringing together Asian manufacturers, exporters, regional and global buyers, policymakers, and industry leaders under one integrated platform.

Bangkok has been intentionally selected as the host city – not only due to its strategic geographic position at the heart of Asia, but also its growing importance in global supply chain realignment and regional trade integration.

Het bericht The 2nd Asia Sourcing Show 2026 verscheen eerst op IAF.

This collaboration reflects IAF’s ongoing commitment to supporting manufacturers and industry associations in navigating a rapidly changing business environment. Through its national association members in more than 40 countries, IAF represents a global industry network reaching more than 180,000 manufacturers worldwide. Across this network, companies are facing rising expectations around transparency, ESG performance, due diligence and responsible sourcing, often while operating in highly competitive and fragmented supply chains.

Infor’s multi-enterprise business network, Infor Nexus, with a network over 100,000 companies across retailers, brands, manufacturers, logistics providers and banks,  brings important expertise and scale to this effort. As a real-time, multi-enterprise network, it connects partners across complex global supply chains and supports collaboration, visibility and execution across multiple tiers. In addition, Infor Nexus continues to invest in innovation, including AI-enabled capabilities and new tooling designed to support the specific needs of apparel and footwear brands as they adapt to new compliance requirements and rising expectations for supply chain agility and transparency. Its strong position in the market, including relationships with many of the world’s largest brands in this industry, makes its scale and experience especially relevant to IAF and its global network.

By welcoming Infor into the IAF community, we create new opportunities to connect our global network with digital capabilities to assist manufacturers and associations to respond more effectively to both regulatory and market-driven demands. For IAF, the value of this collaboration lies above all in its practical relevance. Innovation is only meaningful when it helps companies operate better, comply more efficiently and strengthen their position in the value chain.

The collaboration is also relevant for IAF’s member associations, which play a vital role in supporting manufacturers through advocacy, education and industry development. Better tools, stronger insights and more informed discussion around traceability, market dynamics and compliance are of direct value not only to individual companies, but also to the wider industry structure that enables them to adapt and compete.

IAF looks forward to working closely with Infor in the period ahead and to exploring how this collaboration can create meaningful value for members and for the broader apparel and footwear industry. By bringing together IAF’s international reach and Infor’s technological expertise, this collaboration will contribute to practical innovation that helps the industry meet new demands with greater confidence and capability.

Het bericht Introducing new IAF associate member Infor verscheen eerst op IAF.

Guest article by Andrew Martin

For much of the past decade, the apparel industry’s sustainability agenda has largely been shaped by brands and global initiatives, with manufacturers primarily responsible for implementation on the factory floor. That model is now being tested, as suppliers begin to organise more actively to shape how sustainability is defined, financed and delivered across the industry. In a recent article published in EcoTextile News, I explored how this shift is beginning to take shape, drawing on conversations with a few industry leaders, including IAF’s own Matthijs Crietee, as well as manufacturer perspectives from Türkiye and Indonesia.

Initiatives such as the Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative (STTI) and the Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative (ATTI) — co-created by IAF, with ITMF (for ATTI), and driven by the energy and commitment of key industry leaders such as Miran Ali and Cem Altan — both of whom have played important roles in advancing these initiatives — point to a growing trend: manufacturers organising in a more structured way to influence how sustainability frameworks are designed and implemented.

This is an important development.

Manufacturers sit at the centre of the industry’s social and environmental impacts, yet historically their voice in shaping sustainability frameworks has been relatively fragmented.

Through deeper discussions with manufacturer leaders in Türkiye and Indonesia, such as Cem Altan (CEO, Cenka Tekstil) and Anne Stutanto (Vice-CEO, PT Pan Brothers), a consistent theme emerged: closer coordination among manufacturers can help ensure that the operational realities of production are better reflected in industry discussions.

At the same time, one point came through clearly — sustainability cannot be separated from the economic foundations of the supply chain.

Initiatives such as STTI have played a key role in highlighting how purchasing practices shape the commercial environment in which manufacturers operate. Order predictability, contract terms and pricing structures are not just commercial details — they are fundamental to whether suppliers are able to plan, invest and ultimately deliver on sustainability expectations.

This is particularly relevant in the current context, where rising energy costs and broader economic pressures are placing additional strain on manufacturers, further reinforcing the need for more stable and predictable commercial relationships.

Looking ahead, there is also a growing connection to finance.

As the industry seeks to mobilise capital for decarbonisation, more coordinated articulation of investment priorities — potentially through platforms such as ATTI — could help improve how financial institutions assess risk and opportunity across the sector.

However, this shift will not happen automatically.

The apparel industry remains highly competitive and fragmented, and in the short-term manufacturers will continue to operate within structures largely shaped by buyers. Collective organisation, while important, is still developing.

This is where the opportunity — and the responsibility — for manufacturers becomes clearer.

Engagement, collaboration and a willingness to contribute to shared frameworks will be essential if these platforms are to translate into practical outcomes. As Miran Ali notes, “if supplier-led initiatives are to realise their potential, they will depend on active participation from across the manufacturing community.”

In that sense, the next phase of industry transformation may not only be defined by new initiatives, but by the extent to which manufacturers themselves choose to step forward, engage and help shape the systems in which they operate.

The full article can be accessed here: Manufacturers mobilise to reshape fashion sustainability

Het bericht From implementation to influence: Defining the next phase of supplier collaboration verscheen eerst op IAF.

The Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM) participated in the MODE – Shanghai Fashion Trade Show officially opened on March 25 during Shanghai Fashion Week. By setting up the Macau Fashion Pavilion at the five-day exhibition, CPTTM aimed to leverage this premier platform to enhance the visibility of Macau’s fashion brands, expand their professional networks, and explore new market opportunities.

As the sole official supporting event of Shanghai Fashion Week, the “MODE – Shanghai Fashion Trade Show” offers highly customized professional services and integrates a wide range of advantageous resources, creating a business matchmaking and collaboration platform for global buyers and industry professionals.

100 original Macau-designed pieces

The participating brands included CrazziSavvi, Common Comma, Pearl of Cloé, Jet.W, Earlyink, and Yukwa, presenting over 100 original Macau-designed pieces. The exhibits featured fashion apparel, handbags, and jewelry, fully showcasing the creativity, craftsmanship, and competitiveness of Macau’s local brands.

CPTTM remains committed to supporting local brands in their “go global” efforts, enhancing their exposure and market visibility, and creating broader commercial opportunities for the industry.

For more information, please visit the links below:

CPTTM website: https://www.cpttm.org.mo
CPTTM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpttm
CPTTM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Macaofashionfestival/

Het bericht CPTTM Showcases Macau’s Fashion Creativity in Shanghai verscheen eerst op IAF.

In Bangladesh, the ATTI needs assessment is underway with support from Engineering Resources International (ERI). The ATTI Manufacturer Survey will be distributed next week by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).

In Türkiye, the Transformation Plan progressed significantly following the ATTI Transformation Plan Prototype Workshop held at the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (İHKİB) in February. We were delighted to welcome leading manufacturers – Aster, Bossa Denim, Botaş, ISKO, Kivanc Tekstil, Tepar Filament Yarns, TYH, Uniteks, and Yeşim – as pioneers of this work. We are also grateful to leading brands and industry initiatives – the Apparel Impact Institute, Bestseller, H&M, Inditex, Primark, PVH, Ralph Lauren, Saide Group, and Varner – for their continued participation and support for manufacturer-led transformation.

ATTI and İHKİB are now establishing the ATTI Türkiye Transformation Council to guide implementation, with further details to be shared as development progresses.

For more news on ATTI’s work and progress, please follow us on LinkedIn or subscribe to our newsletter via our website to stay up to date.

Het bericht ATTI Bangladesh and Türkiye verscheen eerst op IAF.

EURATEX is pleased to invite you to the Brussels Textiles Forum 2026, taking place on 11 June in De Warande, Brussels. This year’s edition will once again bring together stakeholders from across the European textile and apparel ecosystem to exchange views with EU policy makers, and help shape the future of our industry.

High-level plenary session

The morning will feature a high-level plenary session, where leading voices from industry, EU institutions and beyond. We will address the major trends and challenges impacting the sector from global trade dynamics and geopolitical developments to energy competitiveness and the evolving regulatory landscape.

In the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a series of parallel workshops of their choice, focusing on key topics such as sustainability and circularity, trade and market access, energy and industrial competitiveness, skills, regulatory simplification, and enforcement. These sessions are designed to foster in-depth discussions and direct exchanges between EU policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders.

All practical information, including the programme, speakers, and registration details, is available on the event website: https://www.brusselstextilesforum.eu/

Het bericht Invitation Brussels Textiles Forum verscheen eerst op IAF.

Macau’s local designers

The delegation consisted of 16 Macau’s local designers visited a number of fashion trade shows and high-end fashion brand exhibitions, including TRANOÏ, Premiere Classe, and the Dior exhibition. Representatives from the trade shows provided in-depth briefings, allowing participants to fully grasp the latest fashion trends and the distinct advantages of each platform. These insights served as valuable references for Macau-based brands seeking to participate in international exhibitions and expand into new markets. Meanwhile, the exhibitions not only presented brand histories and narratives but also showcased hundreds of haute couture pieces, enabling delegates to appreciate the level of craftsmanship and learn sophisticated techniques.

Professional training programme

The study tour also featured a 16-hour professional training programme at the renowned ESMOD Paris fashion design school, covering the latest fashion trends, industry transformations, as well as practical workshops on garment design and enhancement.

Creative inspiration and market insights

The participants highly valued the study tour, noting that the tour enriched their market insights and creative inspiration, offering practical guidance for Macau’s fashion brands. Mak Ka Ian, Senior Manager of Fashion & Creativity Department of CPTTM said they would continue facilitating similar high-level exchanges and nurturing local talent to promote the development of Macau’s fashion design industry.

For more information, please visit the links below:

CPTTM website: https://www.cpttm.org.mo
CPTTM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpttm 
CPTTM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macaofashionfestival/

Het bericht CPTTM Organizes Study Tour to Paris Fashion Week verscheen eerst op IAF.