The Hormuz crisis adds $0.99–$1.62 to every garment from Asia, which is a 10–16 per cent hit on $10 basics but just 2–4 per cent on $50 items.
War risk insurance, carrier surcharges up to $4,000/container, and surging bunker fuel stack into a de facto war tax on apparel.
Bangladesh and India face the sharpest blow as Gulf air hubs shut simultaneously.

The Bangladesh Bank governor has assured a BGMEA delegation that no application for cash incentives will remain pending and payments will be released within the month of claiming.
The delegation proposed raising the special cash incentive rate from 0.3 per cent to 1 per cent, raising the alternative cash support from 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent and raising SME incentives from 3 per cent to 4 per cent.

Crisil Ratings expects Indian diamond polishers’ revenue to grow 6-7% to $15-15.5 billion in FY27, supported by the removal of the 25% US tariff on Indian gems and diamonds and steady domestic demand.

Gold hallmarking: The seven districts are: Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttar Pradesh), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan) and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh), an official statement said.

Brandman Retail is bringing global sports brands Wilson Sporting Goods and ANTA to India. They will open dedicated stores in major cities starting April 2026. These stores will offer a range of sports gear and apparel. The partnership aims to meet the growing demand for premium sportswear across India. Expansion is planned for the next 12 to 18 months.

US retail trade sales in January this year were down by 0.2 per cent month on month (MoM) and up by 3 per cent year on year (YoY), according to advance estimates by the Census Bureau.
Sales at US apparel and clothing accessories increased by 4 per cent YoY in the month, while sales at furniture and home furnishing stores decreased by 3.5 per cent YoY.

Bangladesh’s apparel industry is entering a structural stress phase as liquidity pressures, slowing exports, rising competition and geopolitical logistics disruptions converge.
With LDC graduation approaching and India strengthening its sourcing position, the sector must accelerate capability upgrades to prevent gradual order migration across global supply chains.

Bangladesh’s apparel industry is entering a structural stress phase as liquidity pressures, slowing exports, rising competition and geopolitical logistics disruptions converge.
With LDC graduation approaching and India strengthening its sourcing position, the sector must accelerate capability upgrades to prevent gradual order migration across global supply chains.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has begun to affect the textile industry in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, with export orders being stalled and trade disruptions impacting shipments worth around Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 crore, industry representatives said.

India’s diamond exporters are boosting rough stone purchases from Antwerp and Africa. The West Asia conflict has disrupted the Dubai trade corridor. Demand for rare white and coloured diamonds is increasing. Investors are turning to these diamonds as a safe investment. India processes most of the world’s polished diamonds.