November 15, 2012–For some members of the Association ofSouth East Asian Nations (ASEAN), having to import raw material for apparel production dampens competitiveness. In a recent article on the rise of apparel suppliers as Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia, just-style.com turned to Nathan Associates, expert Michael Blakeley for his opinion on the development of ASEAN-based production.
Blakeley said that “securing fabric in the region as opposed to importing from China and Bangladesh” is a challenge and that ,deeper linkages from upstream to downstream producers, in ASEAN will “benefit such countries as Laos.”
Blakeley is directing the USAID-funded VALUE Project in Thailand, and the Source ASEAN Full Service Alliance, or SAFSA, counts as one of the project’s achievements. Formally established in early 2010, SAFSA helps members who meet exacting standards form “virtual vertical factories” that can meet the demands of international buyers by combining the services of multiple mills and factories. International retailers who have joined SAFSA include Marks & Spencer, Target, Macy’s, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Muji. SAFSA now has more than 40 members and in 2011 was called “a model of economic integration” for ASEAN by Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN.
Read just-style’s article:
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