National: Oct. 12, 2001
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruled that subsidiaries of the El Paso Corp. violated federal regulations by using “blatant collusion” in reaching shipping agreements, but FERC did not find that the company used monopolistic power to set artificially inflated natural gas prices during the energy crisis earlier this year; the California Public Utilities Commission is expected to appeal the ruling...The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is urging lawmakers to take steps to lower the risks of doing business in Pakistan; AAFA president Kevin Burke has outlined a series of recommendations, including suspension or elimination of duties and quotas on apparel, footwear and textiles from Pakistan and streamlining the customs process to eliminate shipping delays; the group also recommended that the United States persuade Pakistan to insure apparel, footwear and textile items while they are in Pakistan and to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel doing business there...New York-based label Miguel Androver has shuttered its business; the company, acquired by the Leiber Group last year, has halted operations to search for a partner or buyer for the label; the label’s namesake Spanish-born designer bolted onto the fashion scene in 1999 with an edgy collection and soon caught the attention of Leiber, which was formerly known as Pegasus Apparel Group and is the owner of other fashion labels, including Darryl K and Pamela Dennis.
