Ever-Glory Passes Evaluation of Abercrombie & Fitch and Signs New Contract
Ever-Glory International Group (OTCBB:EGLY) announced this week the company has passed the evaluation of Abercrombie & Fitch's Product Quality Standard to become its producer. The production orders were signed through an agent and valued at over $500,000. Ever-Glory's reputation for quality products and responsible business practices are becoming firmly established throughout the apparel industry as deals with more top-tier apparel companies are in discussion.

Saks to Open First Store in China
Saks Inc., a retailer that has sold half of its stores in the U.S., will open the first China outlet for its Saks Fifth Avenue unit in 2008, tapping growth for luxury products in the world's fastest-growing major economy.

NC State University's 2006 Continuing Education Schedule: May sessions include: “Distribution Free Analysis” – May 2006 , “New Product Development—Wipes” – May 1-5, and “Dyeing and Finishing Fundamentals” – May 16-19. Most of the courses are held on NCSU's Centennial Campus. To view the entire 2006 schedule or if you are interested in registering for one of these courses, visit www.ContinuingEducation.NCSU.edu.

2006 ASAP China Buying Trip - There are still a few spaces available for this trip. The 11-day buying trip will provide opportunities to locate the production sources for your company. May 18-28 visit Shanghai – commercial capital of China, Hangzhou – representing 40% of Chinese exports, and Jinjiang – the best kept secret, China’s domestic production center. For more information, send an email to info@asapshow.com or call 626-636-2530.

Dallas Market Center Show – The Men’s & Boys’ Apparel Market and the Women’s & Children’s Apparel and Accessories show will be held at the Dallas Market Center in Dallas, TX June 1-4. Dallas Market Center, the largest wholesale merchandise resource in the world as recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records, is the one location where retailers from around the globe source a wide range of products including textiles, fashion accessories and women's, men's, children's and western apparel. With more than 50 markets each year attended by more than 200,000 buyers, Dallas Market Center offers an array of services geared toward helping retailers expand business & increase profits. Additional 2006 show dates: August 17-20, and October 26-29. For more detailed information, visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com.

2006 Seattle Trend Show – Show dates for 2006 have been released for the Seattle Trend Shows. This show is a regional tradeshow for the Pacific Northwest, featuring women’s, children’s and men’s apparel and accessories. For 65 years this show has served independent retailers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and British Columbia. The shows will be held at the Qwest Field Event Center in Seattle, Washington. Dates are as follows: June 10-12, August 5-7 and October (TBD). For more information about this show, contact Patricia Hodges, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Apparel Association: T – 206-767-9200, F – 206-767-0707, E – pnaa@earthlink.net, W – www.seattletrendshow.com.

Material World Show – Material World will have one more show in 2006: September 26-28 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, NY. “From Design to Delivery, the Premier Global Trade Event for the Sewn Products Industries.” Additional information can be found at www.material-world.com.

Life Is Good For Aussie Designers LIFEwithBIRD - With Australian Fashion Week starting next week in Sydney, what better time to say G'Day to LIFEwithBIRD, a three-year-old clothing and accessories line from Down Under that recently began selling here in the States.

Eco Friendly Fashions - It seems that environmental awareness is in fashion these days. Literally, From EDUN, the recently launched fair-trade-produced hemp and organic cotton clothing line that is the brainchild of U2's Bono, his wife Ali Hewson and designer Rogan is growing in popularity.

Karl Lagerfeld is scheduled to unveil his new Lagerfeld collection at Neiman Marcus stores this week. The line which first previewed during New York Fashion Week in February is a radical departure from what Lagerfeld normally designs for Chanel and Fendi. It features stovepipe jeans, tank tops and t-shirts.

Britney Spears has gone from absolutely hot to absolutely not in less than 2 years. The singer scored a perfect zero and placed 124 in a voter's poll by British men's magazine FHM's in its annual 100 Sexiest Women in the World survey. In 2004 Spears ranked number one and was way ahead of any other female on the planet. When most men think of sexy now the frumpy 24 year-old mom is off the radar.

The cash register keeps ringing for Kate Moss. Nikon thinks the British supermodel is picture perfect to promote the Nikon Coolpix S6 digital camera which is aimed at the younger end of the market. Moss will appear nude from the waist up with nothing but her point and shoot. Although the Japanese camera maker has not revealed details of the deal it is believed Moss will be paid about 1.5 million dollars.

Now that her deal as the face of Louis Vuitton officially fell through at the last moment it appears that Lindsay Lohan may be the next face of Versace. According to published reports the teen idol is in talks with Donatella and is even planning to spend some time with her on her yacht. If plans materialize she will inherit the honor from Madonna, Demi Moore and Halle Berry. But for now as a more concrete tribute Lohan has just been installed as a waxwork at Madame Tussauds in New York.

Jessica Simpson is being sued for $100 million dollars by the Tarrant Apparel Group, the license owner for her apparel brand, for breach of contract for refusing to make personal appearances. According to their original master licensing agreement signed in 2004, Simpson was required to be actively involved in promoting the venture but was always a no show. Millions of dollars in sales were cancelled as a result. The star did not even mention her own label when asked what her favorite jeans were. Instead she responded by naming True Religion.

Tom Ford accepted an offer to become the Honorary Chairman for London 's Fashion Fringe. Burberry's CEO Rose Marie Bravo recently stepped down from the position. The 3 year-old competition was setup to showcase young designers. Four finalists will compete for the Fringe title during London Fashion Week.

WTO Issues First Trade Policy Review of China
WTO released its first trade policy review (TPR) of China. The report says that China's gradual economic reforms have opened the economy to international trade and investment and made it one of the fastest growing in the world. But the report also notes several areas where progress still needs to be made, suggesting that it may be necessary for China to reappraise its current policy of attracting investment to export-oriented, capital-intensive manufacturing and to place greater emphasis on removing impediments to the expansion of the services sector. Other challenges include bottlenecks in infrastructure as well as the continued need to restructure the financial sector and capital markets by making them more market oriented. Emphasis in the manufacturing sector has been placed on investment in export-oriented, capital-intensive activities, including through government assistance and public investment. The result is that manufacturing, especially export-oriented manufacturing, has developed more rapidly than other sectors. Manufacturing, much of which is dominated by foreign-invested enterprises, now accounts for over 90% of China's merchandise exports.

U.S., SACU Countries Say FTA Now a Long-Term Goal
According to a press release, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Karan Bhatia met on April 18 with senior officials from the member countries of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Bhatia said that while the U.S. remains committed to concluding a comprehensive FTA with SACU at some future time, the two sides will now focus on developing a framework to establish a basis and building blocks for pursuing the FTA. The U.S. and the five SACU member countries (South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia and Lesotho) launched FTA negotiations in 2003. However, the talks have been stalled for over a year due to significant differences on how ambitious the agreement should be.

Portman to Take Over at OMB; Schwab to Replace Him as USTR
President Bush announced on April 18 that he has tapped current U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Rob Portman to be the new director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Portman’s replacement will be Susan Schwab, who currently serves as deputy USTR. Schwab started her career at USTR as an agricultural trade negotiator, and she later headed the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. In the 1980s, she worked as a trade specialist and then legislative director for Senator Jack Danforth, who chaired a key Senate subcommittee on trade. In the private sector, Schwab has served as an executive at Motorola and as a professional administrator at the University of Maryland.

WTO Appellate Body Rules Against U.S. on Zeroing Methodology
According to the European Commission, the WTO Appellate Body ruled on April 18 that the United States is in violation of its WTO obligations for using “zeroing” when calculating dumping margins. The Appellate Body decision concerns 31 specific antidumping (AD) cases, including 15 original investigations and 16 administrative reviews, that were challenged by the European Union (EU).

China Ports to Charge Fee for Containers as of June 1
According to Shanghai Daily, China’s Ministry of Communications has announced the imposition of a security fee on goods imported into and exported from Chinese maritime ports as of June 1. The fee is about $2.49 for 20-foot containers and $3.75 for 40-foot containers. There will be no fee for empty containers. The article states that the fee is being levied to cover port security costs and will remain in place for three years. Fee revenue will be used to build, maintain and manage port security facilities.

CBP Establishes New Port of Entry in Virginia
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a final rule, effective May 18, conditionally establishing a new port of entry at New River Valley, VA, and terminating the user-fee status of New River Valley Airport in Dublin, VA. The new port of entry consists of all the area surrounded by the continuous outer boundaries of Montgomery, Pulaski and Roanoke counties in Virginia, including New River Valley Airport.

USDA Issues Notice of Termination of Step 2 Cotton Program on August 1
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued notice that the Upland Cotton User Marketing Certificate Program, commonly referred to as the Step 2 program, will be terminated as of August 1. Consequently, upland cotton used domestically or exported under the terms and conditions of the Upland Cotton Domestic User/Exporter Agreement after July 31 will not be eligible for payment under this program.

Ecuador’s New Oil Law Could Disrupt FTA Talks
A recently signed law to increase the state’s share of windfall oil revenues from 30% to 50% is threatening to disrupt negotiations for an already troubled free trade agreement (FTA) between the U.S. and Ecuador. Manuel Chiriboga, Ecuador’s chief trade negotiator, is trying to wrap up talks with the U.S. on the Ecuador FTA but recognizes that this latest move is likely to raise concerns in Washington over Ecuador’s commitment to foreign investor protections. Chiriboga said that the FTA could become a “sitting duck.” The two sides have set a new May 15 deadline for completing the talks.

Trade Minister Warns Korea Won’t Rush to Complete Deal before Expiration of TPA
South Korea’s Trade Minister Kim Hyun-Chong warned this week that Korea will not rush to complete an FTA with the U.S. in order to meet the trade promotion authority (TPA) expiration deadline.

Vietnam Wants WTO Accession Agreement by May
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said on April 14 that he would like to see a deal with the U.S. regarding Vietnam’s accession to the WTO by May. The U.S. Administration has said it would like Vietnam to join the WTO prior to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to take place in Hanoi in November.