Unifi to Host CBI Seminar in L.A.
The Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) passed two years ago but there are still questions regarding what it takes for Caribbean region–produced apparel to qualify for duty-free status.
Greensboro, N.C.-based textile maker Unifi Inc. hopes to take some of the mystery out of the trade agreement (typically referred to as CBI or Caribbean Basin Initiative) for West Coast companies.
The company will host a free seminar for manufacturers, fabric makers and knitters, called “Leveraging the CBI,” at 3 p.m. on March 12 in the Santa Anita Room at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites in downtown Los Angeles.
The seminar will address some of the challenges manufacturers and fabric makers face by producing in various CBI countries, including time factors, and how the CBI can benefit those who produce offshore.
Stewart Little, senior vice president of customer development for Unifi, said the event is geared toward U.S. knitters, weavers and converters of polyester and nylon fabrics and CBI apparel manufacturers but would be equally beneficial to retailers who buy imported apparel. The seminar will be educational for members across the apparel spectrum because it will discuss the advantages and benefits of the CBI and how to better leverage the legislation in order to promote duty-free manufacturing of synthetic fibers and other fabrics from the Caribbean region, Little said.
At the seminar, Unifi will hand out a “CBI Sourcekit,” which includes helpful information for textile and apparel business owners as well as manufacturing resources from the Caribbean region. In addition, Mary O’Rourke, managing director of the Jassin-O’Rourke Group, will be a guest speaker at the event.
“We have been extremely successful in educating the New York and Southern textile and apparel companies,” said Little. “Now is the time to bring this information to our West Coast partners.”
For more information or to register to attend Unifi’s seminar, call (336) 316-5468. —C.F.
