Filipino fabric exports to the U.S are expected to drop following a U.S. government decision to omit textiles, garments and apparels from its zero tariff privilege under the newly extended Generalized System of Preference (GSP).President Barack Obama signed last week the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (H.R. 1295), which will reauthorize the U.S. GSP Program until 31 December 2017. The law will restore the GSP program effective 29 July 2015 with the Philippines. The program leaves out textiles, fashion and footwear, which are the Philippines second largest market export to the U.S. The Philippines exported $2bn worth of textiles and apparel last year, according to a report released by the Philippines Statistics Authority. Meanwhile, the majority of the country’s textile and apparel exports went to the US market, said the report. The Philippines earned $2 billion through exports of yarn, fabric and apparel in 2014. Of this, yarn and fabric exports shot up by 35% year-on-year to $252m, while clothing exports increased at 17% to $1.8bn. The nation’s textile industry was established in the Fifties under the principle of import substitution industrialization, which promotes the production of goods domestically rather than importing them from offshore. As a whole, the local textile industry boasts fiber production and the manufacturing of yarn, fabric and textile end-products. It consists of two sectors: the primary processing sector, comprising spinning, twisting, weaving, knitting, dyeing and finishing; and the secondary processing sector, which includes the manufacturing of apparel and textile end products. The Philippines is home to an abundance of native natural fibers, including abaca, piña and silk. It is the largest producer of abaca — accounting for 85% of global supply — and it exports both abaca pulp and fiber, which comes from banana plants. The beginning of pineapple cultivation in the Philippines also marked the start of the craft of piña cloth weaving.Making textiles from pineapple leaves is an expertise of the Philippines. It is an age-old tradition that dates back to Hispanic times (1521-1898). The native Filipinos’ talent for hand weaving became evident when they used pina fabrics as their cloth of choice. It later became a traditional craft to be marveled upon by the fashion world and today it rivals silk for its touch and luster. Based in Washington, Ecossar was founded in order to help revive this tradition as it had diminished due to the development of other cheaper fibres. In recent years Ecossar has played a pioneering role through their representation of pina in the revival of the industry. They represent Piña, a local Filipino enterprise, named after the fiber. The firm is eco friendly, sustainable and responsibly promoting fair trade, which helps support local micro-enterprises. Normally a husband and wife knitting team, these partner-manufacturers help to improve the livelihood of their communities. Designed and hand knitted by local Filippino artisans, the fabrics are a livelihood for the artisans. The raw materials are sourced directly from local farmers and cooperatives to ensure that the premium prices paid do not go to middlemen. The yarn is dyed using natural dyes derived from plant pigments, too. These naturally dyed garments are compliant with international standards and requirements for performance and aesthetic qualities. Ecossar, working with Piña, are helping to advance the lives of local Filipino artisans by using their exceptional craftsmanship to produce high quality, unique materials. Ecossar’s work with Piña is particularly unique. Together, they have formed the world’s first ever fashion knitwear label to use pineapple fiber for non-traditional wear. The use of pineapple fiber has led Ecossar to become an industrial leader, setting the firm in good steed as pioneers of ‘Made In The Philippines’ fabrics and apparel; something that will continue despite the U.S. zero tariff block.Shop the latest Ecossar collection on Le Souk.