A number of leading textile enterprises in Hongkong, including Yide group, Futian industries (Group) Co., Ltd. and Hongkong Central Textile Co., Ltd. constitute the "fashion enterprise sustainable development alliance" to promote Hongkong into the mainstream of environmental certification, labelling and carbon emissions trading.

At the same time, 12 founding member enterprises plan to establish new standards to support sustainable environmental development.

The establishment of the Confederation of sustainable development of fashion enterprises can enhance the strength of Hongkong's textile and garment industry, because the influence of the alliance is not only between Hongkong and the mainland, but also to all parts of the world.

In 2007, Hongkong and the mainland supplied a total of about 30% products to the global garment market, while many garment factories in the mainland and in Asia were operated by Hongkong enterprises.

Last year, clothing accounted for 39% of Hongkong's exports, and its total value was HK $42 billion 500 million.

The government of Hongkong expresses its support for the work of the Confederation of sustainable development of fashion enterprises.

In 2003, the government set up a commission on sustainable development to advise the government on environmental matters.

The chairman of the committee is appointed by the government and responsible to the government environmental bureau.

The committee recommends the establishment of a super fund and an organization to implement improvement measures.

The sustainable development alliance of fashion enterprises is born under this background.

Wu Bainian, director of the alliance's first chairman and director of Hongkong central textile company, said that the alliance will bring changes to the industry, which will benefit the textile and clothing industry as well as the general public.