Three major associations – Supima, the Bangladesh Cotton Association (BCA) and the Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers (ABRAPA) – have become ICA members.
As part of our strategy to promote safe trading, we introduced a new, ‘Affiliated Association’ membership category in 2011. Specifically aimed at ‘likeminded’ cotton associations, the new membership category provides a mechanism to reinforce and support contract sanctity across all areas of the cotton supply chain.
“We believe that working together with organisations that can reinforce our efforts will definitely help to improve and safeguard the economic sustainability of the cotton supply chain,” said our President, Antonio Esteve. “Introducing this new membership category is one way we can do this. The process of becoming an Affiliated Association is simple – supporting our values and promoting the message of contract sanctity is all that it takes. Associations that want to become a member simply confirm that they will do this and agree to expel any members of their association that appear on our ‘default list’.”
Supima is the latest association to join us. Founded in 1954, Supima is a non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting the growth and awareness of American Pima cotton. It works with all segments of the textile supply chain operating a global licensing programme, with over 350 licensees, in more than 30 countries.
“With the current heightened levels of volatility in the cotton markets, Supima feels it is prudent to have a closer relationship with the ICA in order to support not only the ICA but also its members and our Supima licensed partners on matters of contract sanctity. The new Affiliated Association level of membership is the right platform for associations to work with the ICA,” said Marc Lewkowitz, Supima’s Executive Vice President. “Many of the merchants and mills in our programme are already ICA members and Supima implements a policy that denies licensing to companies that are listed on the ICA’s current default list.”
There is no joining or annual subscription fee to become an ICA Affiliated Association. The ICA also passes on a 50 per cent discount on its membership fees to producers and mills that are registered with each new Affiliated Association. “This is not a money making initiative,” Antonio adds. “The ICA operates on a not-for-profit basis. Our core principle is to promote safe trading so that contract sanctity may be preserved. This is essential to having a sound and sustainable cotton trade. Being a member of the ICA shows the world market that you support contract sanctity and that you want to operate in a safe trading environment.”
