Buyers in the region reported major hardship from disrupted supplies and late shipment. These are exacerbating the effects of currency depreciations, price volatility, reduced orders from retailers and brands the wider impacts of reduced yields in several major cotton producing regions. The ICA Board Strategy Meeting in November will be focusing on some of the issues raised, the ICA said in a media release.

Earlier this month, Alex Hsu (ICA president) and Bill Kingdon (ICA managing director) made outreach visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh – the first visit possible to the regions since 2018. Across the region the ICA encouraged greater engagement from potential ICA members. Buyers reported major hardship from disrupted supplies and late shipment.

In Pakistan they were hosted by Mohammad Ali Bashir (ICA regional director for Pakistan), Atif Dada (Karachi Cotton Association) in Karachi and Iqbal Khurram in Lahore. Meetings were held with KCA, APTMA (South), APTMA (North-Central) and partner firms from across the country. In Lahore Carl Peltzer (Cargill) joined the delegation.

In Bangladesh the group was hosted by Shafiqul Sarker Sohel (ICA regional director for Bangladesh). Meetings were held with BTMA (Bangladesh Textile Mills Association) and BCA (Bangladesh Cotton Association) as well as partner firms in Dhaka.

Additionally, the ICA will begin to deliver a series of Trade Matters training courses in important buying regions, starting with Pakistan next month. The training will take place in various locations throughout Pakistan from October 17-22, and will cover important aspects of international trade, including contract making, ICA bylaws & rules, quality, classing & testing, claims and resolution, ICA arbitration, ICA lists of unfulfilled awards and ICA membership.

This training is aimed at individuals with a basic knowledge of cotton quality matters.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)