Industry experts are calling this a highly volatile **;quixotic**; phase and note that there is no quick checklist or fix that can be done to enter the next phase for the textile industry, which is now turning its focus to innovative materials, more eco-friendly production, and sourcing from hubs that create fewer geopolitical headaches.
Instead, it is a step-by-step process and IDH’s Global director – Business Partnerships, Pramit Chanda, in an interview told Fibre*Fashion that the current understanding is that most organisations are evaluating the changing geopolitical landscape before and see how things play out. “So, they are continuing to stay and focus on some of their existing production countries, staying committed to the work that they are doing, linked to… sustainability broadly without making so much noise about it,” Chanda said.
He added that given the current geopolitical situation, transitioning into new sourcing areas is, in that sense, not as much of a focus as it was four or five years ago. Chanda noted that from his perspective, he does not see any significant change in key sourcing destinations over the next ** years.
But the China+* strategy is gaining momentum, and several conversations around it have put into focus other countries possibly taking the limelight, including India, Vietnam and Cambodia. He said that the China+* strategy has been more focused on Southeast Asia and not as much on the African continent.