India/South Asia: IPR Protection and Enforcement for Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Free Web-based Seminar

India/South Asia: IPR Protection and Enforcement for Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Free Web-based Seminar -- Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 9 a.m. ET

IPR Protection and Enforcement for Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods
Learn more about trademark, copyright, patent, and other Intellectual Property Rights protection and enforcement strategies for India and other markets in South Asia. Experts will brief you and answer your specific questions. Featured speakers include Mr. Dominic Keating, Intellectual Property Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.

Speaker bio: Mr. Dominic Keating - Intellectual Property Attaché, U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.

Webinar date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. ET
Event Cost: FREE
Webinar call-in & log-in information will be sent after registration is received. Please register via the following website.

OTEXA webinar series programs are free. Only a phone line and a computer with an internet connection are necessary. A registration confirmation, and dial-in/log-in instructions will be sent to you prior to the program.

To learn more about IPR in India, go to the India IPR Toolkit webpage. Additional information on Intellectual Property Rights protection and enforcement worldwide is available at www.stopfakes.gov.

This webinar is hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel. For more information, please contact Amanda Douglas at 202-482-4058.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA)
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20230
Phone: (202) 482-5078 | Fax: (202) 482-2331
OTEXA@mail.doc.gov.

2010 Los Angeles Fashion Market Dates

California Market Center (CMC) has announced dates for the 2010 Los Angeles Fashion Markets. They are:

JANUARY 15 – 19, 2010

MARCH 19 – 23, 2010

JUNE 14 – 17, 2010

AUGUST 9 – 12, 2010

OCTOBER 15 – 19, 2010 (FRI – TUE)

California Market Center, 110 East Ninth Street, Los Angeles, Calif. 90079

MORE INFO:

Website: www.californiamarketcenter.com

E-mail: info@californiamarketcenter.com

More Duty Suspension Bills Filed in Senate

S.1722, To extend the temporary suspension of duty on certain rayon staple fibers, Collins, Susan M. [ME].

S.1928, To extend and modify the temporary suspension of duty on golf bag bodies made of woven fabrics of nylon or polyester sewn together with pockets, and dividers or graphite protectors, accompanied with rainhoods, Baucus, Max [MT].

S.1999, To extend temporarily the suspension of duty on certain high tenacity rayon filament yarn, Chambliss, Saxby [GA].

S.2001, To extend temporarily the suspension of duty on certain high tenacity rayon filament yarn, Chambliss, Saxby [GA].

S.2004, Acrylic staple fiber dyed (polyacrylonitrile staple), not carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning, containing by weight a minimum of 92% polyacrylonitrile, not more than .01 percent zinc and from 2 to 8 percent water, imported in the form of staple fiber with a filament decitex of 4.0 decitex to 6.7 decitex (plus or minus 10 percent) with a fiber shrinkage of 0 to 22 percent (plus or minus 10 percent) and a cut fiber length of 89 to 140 with a target length of 115 mm (5503.30.00), Chambliss, Saxby [GA].

S.2006, Acrylic fiber tow (polyacrylontrile tow) containing by weight a minimum of 92% polyacrylonitrile, not more than .01 percent zinc and from 2 to 8 percent water, imported in the form of 8 sub-bundles, crimped together, each containing 24,000 filaments (plus or minus 10 percent) and with an average filament decitex of 4.0 to 5.6 decitex (plus or minus 10 percent), and length greater than 2 meters (5501.30.00) reduced duty to 1.2%,Chambliss, Saxby [GA]

S.2011, To extend temporarily the suspension of duty on nylon woolpacks used to package wool, Barrasso, John [WY].

S.2053, Women's sports bras of stretch fabric with textile or polymer-based electrodes knit into or attached to the fabric and that incorporate connectors designed to secure an electronic transmitter that transmits physiological information from the electrodes to a compatible monitor (6212.10.90), Carper, Thomas R. [DE].

S.2054, Knit tank tops of stretch fabric with textile or polymer-based electrodes knit into or attached to the fabric and that incorporate connectors designed to secure an electronic transmitter that transmits physiological information from the electrodes to a compatible monitor (6109.90.10), Carper, Thomas R. [DE].

S.2058, Knit garments of stretch fabric with textile or polymer-based electrodes knit into or attached to the fabric and that incorporate connectors designed to secure an electronic transmitter that transmits physiological information from the electrodes to a compatible monitor (6110.30.30), Carper, Thomas R. [DE].

S.2152, Grocery bags wholly of cotton canvas fabric, of which the fabric comprising the outer surface of the bag is at least 237 grams per square meter and does not exceed 509 grams per square meter, with handles wholly of cotton canvas sewn on , with a capacity not to exceed 23 liters each, each shaped with compartments to carry multiple bottles purchased in grocery stores, supermarkets, wine or liquor stores or the like (4202.92.90), Specter, Arlen [PA].

S.2153, Grocery bags of nonwoven fabric wholly of polypropylene, of which the fabric comprising the outer surface of the bag is at least 70 grams per square meter and does not exceed 110 grams per square meter, with handles of nonwoven fabric wholly of polypropylene sewn on, with a capacity not to exceed 23 liters each, of a type used to carry food or beverages purchased in grocery stores, supermarkets or pharmacies or the like (4202.92.30), Specter, Arlen [PA]

S.2171, Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene yarn, measuring not less than 131 decitex but not more than 340 decitex (5402.59.00), Specter, Arlen [PA].

S.2172, Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene yarn, measuring not less than 40 decitex but not more than 130 decitex (5402.59.00), Specter, Arlen [PA].

S.2173, Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene yarn, measuring not less than 341 decitex but not more than 510 decitex (5402.59.00), Specter, Arlen [PA].

S.2220, To extend the temporary suspension of duty on noils of camel hair, Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT].

S.2221, To extend the temporary suspension of duty on camel hair, carded or combed, Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT].

S.2223, Yarn of carded hair Kashmir (cashmere) goats, of yarn count less than 19.35 metric, not put up for retail sale (5108.10.80), Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT].

S.2224, To extend the temporary suspension of duty on fine animal hair of Kashmir (cashmere) goats, processed beyond the degreased or carbonized condition, Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT].

S.2226, To extend the temporary suspension of duty on woven fabrics containing 85 percent or more by weight of vicuna hair, Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT].

NTA, Others, Comment on DR 2-for-1

On November 2, 2009, the National Textile Association, American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, and National Council of Textile Organizations submitted joint comments to the U.S. International Trade Commission regarding USITC Investigation Number 332-503 -- Dominican Republic Earned Import Allowance Program, stating that the U.S. industry had supported the creation of this program to enhance the ability of our customers in the Dominican Republic to manufacture trousers and other select goods for the US market. It was understood by the U.S. industry that a dyeing and finishing requirement would be part of the definition of wholly formed. Had there been any question about this, industry support for the program would have collapsed immediately. Furthermore, if the rule is changed the U.S. industry will actively oppose a renewal of the program in the future. We also cautioned that this is a new program. Before we can discuss the merits of extending or expanding the program, we need to see how it is working. We urge all parties involved to continue monitoring the data to make this determination.

Duty Suspension Bills Filed in Senate

S.1941, Acrylic staple fiber undyed (polyacrylonitrile staple) not carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning, containing by weight a minimum of 92 percent polyacrylonitrile, not more than .01 percent zinc and from 2 to 8 percent water, imported in the form of staple fiber with a filament decitex of 4.0 decitex to 6.7 decitex (plus or minus 10 percent) with a fiber shrinkage of 0 to 22 percent (plus or minus 10 percent) and a cut fiber length of 89 mm to 140 mm with a target length of 115 mm (5503.30.00), Isakson, Johnny [GA]

S.1942, Acrylic fiber tow (polyacrylonitrile tow) containing by weight a minimum of 92 percent polyacrylonitrile, not more than .01 percent zinc and from 2 to 8 percent water, imported in the form of 1 bundle of crimped product, containing 214,000 filaments (plus or minus 10 percent) and with an average filament decitex of 4.0 to 5.6 decitex (plus or minus 10 percent), and length greater than 2 meters (5501.30.00), Isakson, Johnny [GA]

S.1943, Acrylic staple fiber undyed (polyacrylonitrile staple), not carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning, containing by weight a minimum of 92% polyacrylonitrile, not more than .01 percent zinc and from 2 to 8 percent water, imported in the form of staple fiber with a filament decitex of 4.0 decitex to 6.7 decitex (plus or minus 10 percent) with a fiber shrinkage of 0 to 22 percent (plus or minus 10 percent) and a cut fiber length of 100 mm to 135 mm with a target length of 120 mm (5503.30.00), Isakson, Johnny [GA]

S.1993, Reusable fabric cotton bags entered with at least one article of bedding per bag (4202.92.15), Klobuchar, Amy [MN]

S.1994, Reusable fabric bags entered with at least one article of bedding per bag (6307.90.98), Klobuchar, Amy [MN]

S.2005, Acrylic staple fiber dyed (polyacrylonitrile staple), not carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning, containing by weight a minimum of 92 percent polyacrylonitrile, not more than .01 percent zinc and from 2 to 8 percent water, imported in the form of staple fiber with a filament decitex of 4.0 decitex to 6.7 decitex (plus or minus 10 percent) with a fiber shrinkage of 0 to 22 percent (plus or minus 10 percent) and a cut fiber length of 100 mm to 135 mm with a target length of 120 mm (5503.30.00), Chambliss, Saxby [GA]

CIT Board of Directors Approves Proceeding with Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization with Overwhelming Support of Debtholders

November 1, 2009, NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), a leading provider of financing to small businesses and middle market companies, today announced that, with the overwhelming support of its debtholders, the Board of Directors voted to proceed with the prepackaged plan of reorganization for CIT Group Inc. and a subsidiary that will restructure the Company’s debt and streamline its capital structure.

Importantly, none of CIT’s operating subsidiaries, including CIT Bank, a Utah state bank, will be included in the filings. As a result, all operating entities are expected to continue normal operations during the pendency of the cases.

All classes voted to accept the prepackaged plan and all were substantially in excess of the required thresholds for a successful vote. Approximately 85% of the Company’s eligible debt participated in the solicitation, and nearly 90% of those participating supported the prepackaged plan of reorganization.

Similarly, approximately 90% of the number of debtholders voting, both large and small, cast affirmative votes for the prepackaged plan. The conditions for consummating the exchange offers were not met.

Accordingly, CIT’s Board of Directors approved the Company to proceed with the voluntary filings for CIT Group Inc. and CIT Group Funding Company of Delaware LLC with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (“the Court”).

Due to the overwhelming and broad support from its debtholders, the Company is asking the Court for a quick confirmation of the approved prepackaged plan. Under the plan, CIT expects to reduce total debt by approximately $10 billion, significantly reduce its liquidity needs over the next three years, enhance its capital ratios and accelerate its return to profitability.

“The decision to proceed with our plan of reorganization will allow CIT to continue to provide funding to our small business and middle market customers, two sectors that remain vitally important to the U.S. economy,” said Jeffrey M. Peek, Chairman and CEO. “We are enormously appreciative of the extraordinary support we have received from our many constituencies. This market-based solution allows CIT to enter into the reorganization process well-prepared and positioned for a swift emergence. I want to thank our customers for their support and express my gratitude to our employees whose dedication and hard work are crucial to the future of CIT. We also acknowledge our constructive working relationship with our regulators and look forward to their continued guidance as we move through this process.”

For more than 100 years, CIT has provided much needed capital to small business and middle market customers. These two sectors play a vital role in the U.S. economy and in overall employment and job creation, representing more than 90 million employees. CIT is the leading provider of financing to the retail sector and to women-, minority- and veteran-owned small businesses. Over one million customers depend on CIT to provide the financing needed to run their businesses. In addition to being one of the largest independent leasing companies in the U.S., CIT maintains the following leadership positions among others:

#1 factoring company in the U.S.;
3rd largest railcar lessor in the U.S.; and
3rd largest aircraft lessor in the world.
As previously announced, CIT expanded its $3 billion senior secured credit facility by an additional $4.5 billion on October 28, 2009. These funds, supplemented by cash generated from operations, will allow us to meet clients’ needs and to satisfy customary obligations associated with the daily operation of its businesses during the confirmation process. CIT has also secured an incremental $1 billion committed line of credit to provide supplemental liquidity as it pursues that plan.

In conjunction with today’s announcement, CIT has filed a number of first day motions that will allow it to continue to operate in the ordinary course during the confirmation process. These motions include requests to continue the payment of wages, salaries and other employee benefits. Additionally, the Company filed a motion seeking the necessary relief from the Court to pay its vendors and certain other creditors in full.

Under the proposed prepackaged plan of reorganization, all existing common and preferred stock will be cancelled upon emergence.

Treatment of Securities in Offers and Solicitations

The original CIT Group Inc. offers launched on October 1, 2009 have expired. Securities tendered in these offers will be released into their original CUSIP numbers as soon as practicable.

Securities tendered in connection with offers that have not yet expired, certain long-term notes maturing after 2018 and the Delaware Funding offers, are being retained in the CUSIP numbers for those offers; however, these securities can be withdrawn from the offers and returned to the original CUSIP number for trading. Any withdrawn securities can be re-tendered until the expiration date.

For Additional Information

Additional information about CIT’s restructuring can be found on the Company’s Web site, www.cit.com. For access to Court documents and other general information about the Chapter 11 cases, please visit www.kccllc.net/citgroup. The Company has established a toll-free Supplier Information Line at 800-422-2738 or, if you are calling from outside the U.S. 973-422-3877 and a toll-free Restructuring Information Line for all other interested parties at 866-967-1786 or 310-751-2686.

Evercore Partners and FTI Consulting are the Company’s financial advisors and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is legal counsel in connection with the restructuring plan and Chapter 11 cases. Sullivan & Cromwell advised CIT’s Board of Directors on the restructuring plan and will act as legal counsel to CIT going forward on certain corporate matters.

Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Capital, Inc. serves as financial advisor, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP serves as legal counsel to the Lender Steering Committee.

Individuals interested in receiving future updates on CIT via e-mail can register at http://newsalerts.cit.com

About CIT

CIT (NYSE: CIT) is a bank holding company with more than $60 billion in finance and leasing assets that provides financial products and advisory services to small and middle market businesses. Operating in more than 50 countries across 30 industries, CIT provides an unparalleled combination of relationship, intellectual and financial capital to its customers worldwide. CIT maintains leadership positions in small business and middle market lending, retail finance, aerospace, equipment and rail leasing, and vendor finance. Founded in 1908 and headquartered in New York City, CIT is a member of the Fortune 500. www.cit.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable federal securities laws that are based upon our current expectations and assumptions concerning future events, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The words “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “initiative,” “objective,” “plan,” “goal,” “project,” “outlook,” “priorities,” “target,” “intend,” “evaluate,” “pursue,” “commence,” “seek,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements about our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations regarding future events and our financial performance, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties. While these statements represent our current judgment on what the future may hold, and we believe these judgments are reasonable, these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially. Important factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations include, among others, the risk that the additional facilities do not provide the liquidity that CIT is seeking due to material negative changes to CIT’s liquidity from draw down of loans by customers, the risk that CIT is unsuccessful in its efforts to consummate the plan of reorganization. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. CIT undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except where expressly required by law.

8 Textile and Apparel Groups Write to Sec. Clinton Urging Action on Honduran Trade Disruption

October 27, 2009

The Honorable Hillary Clinton
Secretary of State
United States Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington DC 20520

Dear Secretary Clinton:

One month ago, we wrote to you regarding the impact that the continuing crisis in Honduras was having on fiber, textile and apparel jobs in the United States, Honduras and around the CAFTA region. We asked that the United States government “take public steps to ensure that commercial ties are not interrupted” and that crisis be resolved through “normal diplomatic means.” As primary stakeholders in the fiber, textile, apparel, import and retail chain which is responsible for billions of dollars in annual trade with Honduras and the larger CAFTA region, we would like to update you on what has occurred during the last thirty days.

While commercial traffic has been restored through the port of Puerto Cortes, textile and apparel trade in and out of Honduras has continued to fall as the political situation in Honduras remains unresolved. Imports of textiles and apparel from Honduras fell by 38 percent in June, July and August with preliminary numbers from September showing a 39 percent drop. Moreover, exports of textile products from the United States, which are leading indicator, continue to be sharply depressed with exports down by 38 percent during the last three months, a total of $165 million.

We are increasingly concerned that with the continued uncertainty regarding the political situation that the U.S.–Honduran textile complex - one of the most vibrant in the Western Hemisphere - is in danger of being permanently damaged. Our members report that credit, insurance and other financing costs associated with moving goods into and out of Honduras are now at record levels as the financial sector has lost confidence that the crisis will be resolved soon. In particular, the United States government’s position of refusing to recognize future election results even if the elections are conducted in a free and open manner appears to have sent an unfortunate message that Honduras could be reduced to a pariah state for an indefinite period.

The costs of the continuing uncertainty are the continuing loss of textile jobs in the United States and of apparel jobs in Honduras. Damage is increasing to a fiber to retail chain that has been an essential stabilizing factor in the CAFTA region. While factories can be closed or run on short orders for weeks, they cannot do so for months on end. The end result is increased plant closures, job losses and the crippling of a once booming trade sector. We again urge you to consider the critical impact that U.S. government actions have on the livelihoods of tens of thousands of textile and apparel workers in the United States and in Honduras.
Sincerely,

American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)
American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition (AMTAC)
The Hosiery Association (THA)
National Cotton Council (NCC)
National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)
National Textile Association (NTA)
National Retail Federation (NRF)
US Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA)

Cc:
The Honorable Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative
The Honorable Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce
The Honorable John Kerry, Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
The Honorable Richard Lugar, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
The Honorable Howard Berman, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs
The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs