23 Feb 2014

The textile and clothing sector has been identified as one of the priority sectors that will drive economic diversification in Botswana.

This was revealed by Acting Director-Industrial Affairs at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) Mr Michael Tapela during a textile and clothing stakeholders’ consultative forum in Gaborone on Thursday, February 19. Mr Tapela said the textile and clothing sector plays a significant role in economic development as it provides significant employment for unskilled labour, particularly women in the manufacturing industry. He added that the sector has great export potential especially through the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).

For his part, Trade Policy Advisor at MTI Dr Joel Sentsho revealed that government has formulated a strategy to develop a competitive and sustainable textile industry in Botswana. “The strategy is geared at increasing domestic, regional and international market share for Botswana’s textile and clothing sector.

The aim is to promote entrepreneurship in the textile and clothing sector as well as improve businesses access to finance,” he said. The objective of the workshop was to provide an overview of the textile and clothing strategy as well as facilitate formation of the industry’s association.

Mr Tapela said the strategy was developed and finally approved through active partnership between government and the private sector. He added that the association is expected to drive the strategy and move the textile and clothing sector forward through strategic guidance and visionary leadership.

Mr Tapela also revealed that the sector has failed to become sustainable despite several interventions from government, for example through the Financial Assistance Policy. He explained that the main reason for failure was lack of a deliberate road map or strategy towards the textile sector’s viability and sustainability. ENDS