ASEAN Ventures Into Garment Production

BANGKOK, THAILAND (GaeaTimes.com)- ASEAN countries is said to be the new target for leading fashion brands of the world. Reportedly, the biggies in the fashion industry has plans in store to approach the ASEAN countries to join them in making garments.

Industrial sectors have always targeted the ASEAN markets for the growth of the companies but fashion garments is something new in this domain. “Guess”, “Polo” “Ralph Lauren” and “Marks and Spencer” are all looking forward to expand their business in the ASEAN countries. As a matter of fact, last month the fashion labels have signed a MOU (Memoranda Of Understanding) with all South Asian suppliers in Singapore. It was said that there will be a three year pilot program; “SAFSA” (Source ASEAN Full Service Alliance) which shall function to maximize the efficiency of the supply chain. Speaking on the same note was R.J. Gurley who happens to be the director of ASEAN Competitive Enhancement Project. He told the media that sourcing fabric for buyers has been a hard task and the project aims to ease the task by bringing in the ASEAN countries.

Nan Yang Fabric Company Sales Director Charles Yeo said that countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have been the prominent among the ASEAN countries in the garments business. They all have produced apparels for major export markets and hence have a proud history in merchandising.
These nations can produce almost any garments and then market it over to the lower labor cost countries like Vietnam and Cambodia. Garment manufacturers are looking out for diversifications in terms of sources and supply and ASEAN counties can surely offer them a large share in the market.