The textile and apparel sector in Vietnam is currently facing a new set of challenges that extend far beyond traditional metrics of price, speed, and production capacity. The European Union’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) is fundamentally transforming product data into a mandatory requirement for market access. This pressure is immediate for Vietnam, given that the country’s textile and apparel export basket was valued at US$ 53.33 billion in 2025, with apparel alone accounting for US$ 43.57 billion.
Swedish retail giant H&M has reiterated that Bangladesh remains a "very important sourcing market" for the company, addressing recent media reports that suggested a potential reduction in procurement from the country. As the largest garment buyer in Bangladesh, H&M sources apparel worth approximately $5 billion annually from nearly 300 local factories. While H&M declined to share specific production volumes or market order shares, citing commercially sensitive information, the company emphasized that its long-term partnerships in Bangladesh, established since the early 1980s, remain a fundamental aspect of its global operations.
Although a national team from Bangladesh is not competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country’s manufacturing prowess has reached the tournament's biggest stage. This milestone was achieved when the Cape Verde national team wore jerseys manufactured in Bangladesh during their World Cup debut match against Spain in Atlanta. The jerseys were produced by Garments Manufacturing and Assembling Ltd (GMA), a factory located in the Turag area of Dhaka.
The manufacturing sector in Sri Lanka recorded a significant surge in May 2026, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising sharply to 56.6 points from 42.6 points in April. This increase indicates a return to expansion in manufacturing activity, according to data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). This recovery provides a positive signal for the national economy amidst global uncertainties and the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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