SHANGHAI – Textile industry leaders from five Asian countries have signed a new declaration on regional economic cooperation that also includes specific aims on social and environmental responsibility in their textile supply chains. The declaration, which was revealed at the 2016 Annual Conference on Social Responsibility of Chinese Textile & Apparel Industry, was officially signed at the event by textile industry organisations from China, Myammar, Cambodia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As well as boosting cross-border trade and investment, the new agreement – said to be an industry first – also addresses labour standards, human rights, fair competition and environmental protection in all five countries textile and apparel sectors.