. A prominent trade association representing garment exporters in the Philippines is urging the government to facilitate the construction of new textile mills in anticipation of an expected surge in demand for these goods once the Philippines enters into a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU).
Last year, the Indonesian Ministry of Trade took concrete steps to support the growth of the domestic garment industry by issuing two new regulations. These regulations, Minister of Trade Regulation No. 31 of 2023 concerning Business Licensing, Advertising, Guidance, and Supervision of Business Actors in Trade through Electronic Systems, and Minister of Trade Regulation No. 36 of 2023 related to import policies and regulations, were designed to enhance protection and supervision of the domestic garment industry.
Pakistan's textiles and apparel sector is on the brink of a major crisis, with more than 50% of firms facing the imminent threat of closure in the coming weeks. The All Pakistan Textiles Mills Association (APTMA) has sounded the alarm, urging the federal government to urgently review energy rates to ensure the competitiveness of textile exports in the global market.