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Ethics Are Back In Business!!

Ethics Are Back In Business!!

Published 08-28-08

Submitted by Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAFF)

- August 28, 2008 - Bill Clinton authors a book on 'Giving', while Bill Gates steps down as chairman of Microsoft to take on full time philanthropy! Toyota turns to producing cleaner, greener vehicles, while British Petroleum champions 'sustainability'.

Is it a new business trend, or the era of responsible commerce has finally arrived?

The numbers from worldwide ethical consumption market reports confirm the beginning of an era of Ethical Economies' where businesses, governments and consumers are working closely to conduct commerce based on conscience and care. Where economies and businesses are driven by three key growth engines, of Ethical, Green and sustainability.

This Ethical Business Revolution is not restricted to the corporate boardroom of the West, now you can actually see it in practice on the hardworking shop floors of the East too.

Welcome to Asia the unofficial back office of the world, where millions of unknown, unsung people are relentlessly working to keep the world going.

Sri Lanka in this new world order emerges as a surprise player where ethics precede commerce.

Its Apparel Industry [www.garmentswithoutguilt.com] is a shinning example of how businesses can be build around holistic growth.

Thanks to the constitutional policies and stringent labour laws, Sri Lanka's young [only 30 years in existence]

Apparel Industry has defined its DNA based on five guiding principles of:

a) Ethical Working Conditions b) Empowerment for Women c) No forced Labour d) No Child Labour e) Eco-Compliance

Apparel Exports continues to be Sri Lanka's prominent economic growth engine, contributing almost 45% to the GDP.

Interestingly enough in spite of its relatively smaller size and contribution to the total Apparel exports from Asian region, Sri Lanka Apparel today commands the necessary 'ethical compliance' reputation among the global outsourcing community. While their regional counterparts in China, India, Pakistan and

Bangladesh continues to grapple with these internal hygiene issues.

The demonstration of ethical business and manufacturing practices has encouraged progressive and responsible global fashion brands like M&S, Nike, Gap, Levi's among others to firm commerce with the country.

The Apparel industry with its 370 odd big and small manufacturing members has been practicing the unspoken code of conduct on ethical business and manufacturing practices since its inception. A way of doing business that has now been formalized as a single slogan 'Garments without Guilt' [www.garmentswithoutguilt.com].

Garments without Guilt [www.garmentswithoutguilt.com] encapsulates the one million strong Sri Lankan workforce's mission and pledge to create world-class apparel products under globally set ethical business standards. The world-renowned certification agency SGS has certified over 100 manufacturing plants on this in last few months. A rare achievement for an industry for attaining triple digit certification in one go.

The Garments without Guilt [www.garmentswithoutguilt.com] resolve has found global support and admiration from some of the prominent figures with the likes of the Hon’ US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mr.Robert Blake and the worldwide editor of world’s biggest online fashion magazine Ms. Leonie Barrie. Besides western media has applauded the efforts by showcasing the industry efforts at various global platforms be it the BBC World Business Report or online ethical fashion blogs on JustStyle.com.

The Garments without Guilt movement has further got strengthened by the continuous support and guidance showered by its global business partners in Marks & Spencer, Gap among others. The recently launched M&S promoted 'Eco-Factory Project' with Sri Lanka's top three apparel manufacturers in Brandix, MAS and Hirdaramani reflects the industries commitment towards continuously investing in ethical business practices.

While Gap among other things has partnered MAS in promoting its Go Beyond CSR program aimed toward Women's Empowerment.

This continuous mentorship from global buying houses has helped Sri Lankan manufacturers step up the momentum for ethical apparel production, slowly and steadily positioning as Asia's ethical apparel sourcing hub for global brands and labels.

No wonder the steady growth of the industry has started to reflect on the increase in year on year exports, while its regional counterparts are still facing the critical question of how to build ethical business competence.

Eventually, with this first mover advantage and continued focus on ethical business and manufacturing practices Sri Lanka might emerge as the destination of choice for sourcing ethical clothing for the evolved buyers.

Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAFF) logo

Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAFF)

Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAFF)

JAAF business and marketing campaigns are driven by the following charter objectives *Increase the Sri Lankan apparel industry turnover to US$ 5 Billion by 2010 *Transform the industry from a "manufact-urer" to a provider of a "fully integrated services" *Increase market penetration to the premium market segments of the global apparel industry *Become internationally famous as a superior manufacturer of specific product categories *Consolidate and strengthen the industry to meet the challenges of the quota free era

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