The Global Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Conference (TASCC), the first of its kind in Vietnam after 11 previous editions in China, took place in Ho Chi Minh City on April 11. Co-hosted by the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association (VITAS) and the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNATC), the event focused on sustainable development trend towards a green garment industry and regional solutions to global challenges.
Speaking at the event, VITAS Chairman Vu Duc Giang said the association has established an environment committee and joined an action plan to achieve a green garment sector over the past three years with the support of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and other organisations.
Bui Hoang Yen from the municipal Investment and Trade Promotion Centre suggested improving dyeing process and linking stages together from design to product development, materials and logistics, thus upgrading supply chain and creating a common power for the sector. The MoIT worked closely with agencies concerned to devise a development strategy for apparel, leather and footwear till 2030 amid the fourth Industrial Revolution, including zoning off several concentrated industrial parks for fibre, thread, leather and new materials.
CNATC President Sun Ruizhe said the Vietnamese and Chinese garment sectors play an important role in the global supply chain. In recent years, major Chinese apparel makers such as Shenzhou, Youngor, Huafu, Lutai, Xurong and Jifa have invested in building plants in Vietnam, he said.
However, challenges remain ahead as polluting firms are at risk of having orders cancelled by branded names in the world. They tend to place orders from green companies while consumers also consider manufacturers’ social responsibility for the environment. A representative from the World Wildlife Fund said there are a number of projects providing financial support for garment firms to renew technology and mitigate environment pollution.
