Author: Editorial Desk

Shein, the global fast-fashion giant, is expanding its manufacturing base in India through a strategic partnership with Reliance Retail, with plans to export Indian-made apparel to international markets, including the U.S. and UK, within the next six to twelve months. Originally founded in China and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein is accelerating its diversification strategy as global trade dynamics shift. The initiative gained momentum after the United States imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting the company to reduce its reliance on Chinese suppliers and explore alternative sourcing hubs. According to sources cited by Reuters, the Shein-Reliance collaboration aims to scale…

The China-Laos Railway, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is playing a pivotal role in deepening trade cooperation between China and Southeast Asia, with a marked impact on agricultural exports, particularly Thailand’s durian trade. According to a report published Sunday by the official WeChat account of China State Railway Group, the railway has facilitated a 25% year-on-year increase in the volume of Thai durian and other tropical fruits imported into China through the Mohan border checkpoint in Yunnan Province. Experts credit the surge to the railway’s enhanced transportation capacity and improved customs clearance efficiency. Launched in…

Lotte Mart has launched the ‘Global Bridge in Indonesia’ initiative in Jakarta to bolster the overseas expansion efforts of South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Global Bridge event, held in partnership with the Foundation for Agricultural Cooperation between Large and Small Corporations, follows last year’s ‘Korea Together Festival’ in Vietnam, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. On June 4, the program included an export consultation meeting involving 20 leading Korean SMEs in the food and beauty sectors and 24 Indonesian buyers. The event yielded over 130 consultations, generating export discussions worth approximately $9.5 million…

China has proposed the creation of a ‘green channel’ to facilitate the rare earth materials exports to the European Union, following recent restrictions. The initiative was revealed by the Ministry of Commerce on Saturday, showing a willingness to address European concerns over access to these critical resources. Since April, China has mandated export licences for rare earth materials, strategic metals essential in the production of electric vehicle batteries, and numerous high-tech products. China currently dominates the market, accounting for over 60% of global rare earth mining and 92% of refined output, according to the International Energy Agency. Industry stakeholders in…

The Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) has voiced serious concerns over the proposed national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year. It cautions that it may negatively impact the country’s textile and garment industries, key pillars of the export-driven economy. The organization fears that the budget’s emphasis on revenue generation and compliance with International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommendations could destroy the global competitiveness of these crucial sectors. BCI President Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury stated that the proposed increases in corporate and personal taxes may overburden current taxpayers and further strain industries already coping with inflation and rising operational costs. Of particular concern…

India remains committed to a fair, inclusive, and rule-based global trading system that reflects the needs of the Global South, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said while addressing the 2nd Working Session of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasília, Brazil. Speaking on the theme ‘BRICS Parliamentary Action in Search of New Paths for Economic Development’, Birla highlighted India’s economic resilience, noting that the country has consistently outpaced global growth averages despite international uncertainties and domestic challenges. “India has risen from the tenth largest economy in 2014 to the fourth largest today, driven by robust policies and the strength of its…

The United States has urged Pakistan to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting American exports and companies, as both countries pursue deeper trade ties. The call came from Reva Gupta, spokesperson at the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, during ongoing bilateral negotiations between the two nations. The discussions follow recent U.S. tariff actions under President Donald Trump, with Pakistan facing a potential 29% duty on its exports to the U.S., currently under a 90-day suspension. The tariff threat stems from a $3 billion trade surplus Pakistan holds with the United States. “In our bilateral engagements with Pakistan, we always message…

Concerns are growing that a dispute over how two African development banks are treated in debt talks could make trade finance harder to get and more expensive across the continent The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) are currently entangled in negotiations over whether they should receive preferential creditor treatment during debt restructuring processes in Ghana, Malawi, and Zambia. Both institutions are owed substantial amounts—Afreximbank is owed $750 million by Ghana, $454 million by Malawi, and $45 million by Zambia, while TDB is owed $555 million by Zambia and $323 million by Malawi, according to…

Several major trade hubs across China are expanding international shipping routes to diversify overseas markets and bolster the nation’s position in global trade. Shenzhen, a leading economic center in South China’s Guangdong Province, has unveiled a new development plan aimed at enhancing its services and digital trade capabilities. The plan includes 20 policy measures focused on four key areas: improving the flow of trade resources, advancing digital trade innovation, upgrading service trade quality, and reinforcing support systems. A major highlight of the plan is the expansion of maritime routes to Europe, Oceania, and Africa, with increased frequency in cross-border e-commerce…

India has urged the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to take concrete action against non-tariff barriers and trade distortions caused by non-market economies, while also calling for the restoration of a robust dispute settlement system. The appeal was made by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during a gathering of ministers from 25 WTO member nations on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris. Goyal emphasized the need for a fair and predictable global trade environment, advocating for a consensus-based approach and special provisions for developing and least-developed countries. He stressed that the WTO must prioritize already mandated…